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3  <body>  <title>What is free software? - GNU Project - Free Software Foundation (FSF)</title>
4    
5  <p><a href="#translations">Translations</a> of this page</p>  <meta http-equiv="Keywords" content="GNU, FSF, Free Software Foundation, Linux, Emacs, GCC, Unix, Free Software, Operating System, GNU Kernel, HURD, GNU HURD, Hurd" />
6    <meta http-equiv="Description" content="Since 1983, developing the free Unix style operating system GNU, so that computer users can have the freedom to share and improve the software they use." />
7    <link rel="alternate" title="What's New" href="http://www.gnu.org/rss/whatsnew.rss" type="application/rss+xml" />
8    <link rel="alternate" title="New Free Software" href="http://www.gnu.org/rss/quagga.rss" type="application/rss+xml" />
9    
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12    
13    <h2>What is free software?</h2>
14    
15  <h3>The Free Software Definition</h3>  <h3>The Free Software Definition</h3>
16    
17  <p>  <p>
18  <a href="/graphics/philosophicalgnu.html"><img src="/graphics/philosophical-gnu-sm.jpg" alt=" [image of a Philosophical Gnu] " width="160" height="200" /></a>  We maintain this free software definition to show clearly what must be
19    true about a particular software program for it to be considered free
20    software.  From time to time we revise this definition to clarify it.
21    If you would like to review the changes we've made, please see
22    the <a href="#History">History section</a> below for more information.
23  </p>  </p>
24    
25  <p>  <p>
26  We maintain this free software definition to show clearly what must be  &ldquo;Free software&rdquo; is a matter of liberty, not price.  To understand
27  true about a particular software program for it to be considered  the concept, you should think of &ldquo;free&rdquo; as in &ldquo;free speech,&rdquo;
28  free software.</p>  not as in &ldquo;free beer.&rdquo;
29    </p>
30    
31  <p>  <p>
32  ``Free software'' is a matter of liberty, not price.  To understand the  Free software is a matter of the users' freedom to run, copy, distribute,
33  concept, you should think of ``free'' as in ``free speech,'' not as in  study, change and improve the software.  More precisely, it means that the
34  ``free beer.''</p>  program's users have the four essential freedoms:
35  <p>  </p>
 Free software is a matter of the users' freedom to run, copy,  
 distribute, study, change and improve the software.  More precisely,  
 it refers to four kinds of freedom, for the users of the software:</p>  
36    
37  <ul>  <ul>
38    <li>The freedom to run the program, for any purpose (freedom 0).</li>    <li>The freedom to run the program, for any purpose (freedom 0).</li>
39    <li>The freedom to study how the program works, and adapt it to your needs    <li>The freedom to study how the program works, and change it so it
40        (freedom 1).   Access to the source code is a precondition for this.</li>        does your computing as you wish (freedom 1). Access to the source
41          code is a precondition for this.
42      </li>
43    <li>The freedom to redistribute copies so you can help your neighbor    <li>The freedom to redistribute copies so you can help your neighbor
44        (freedom 2).</li>        (freedom 2).
45    <li>The freedom to improve the program, and release your improvements    </li>
46       to the public, so that the whole community benefits    <li>The freedom to distribute copies of your modified versions
47        (freedom 3).   Access to the source code is a precondition for this.</li>        to others (freedom 3).  By doing this you can give the whole
48          community a chance to benefit from your changes.
49          Access to the source code is a precondition for this.
50      </li>
51  </ul>  </ul>
52    
53  <p>  <p>
54  A program is free software if users have all of these freedoms.  A program is free software if users have all of these freedoms.  Thus,
55  Thus, you should be free to redistribute copies, either with or  you should be free to redistribute copies, either with or without
56  without modifications, either gratis or charging a fee for  modifications, either gratis or charging a fee for distribution, to
57  distribution, to <a href="#exportcontrol">anyone anywhere</a>.  Being  <a href="#exportcontrol">anyone anywhere</a>.  Being free to do these
58  free to do these things means (among other things) that you do not  things means (among other things) that you do not have to ask or pay
59  have to ask or pay for permission.</p>  for permission to do so.
60    </p>
61    
62  <p>  <p>
63  You should also have the freedom to make modifications and use them  You should also have the freedom to make modifications and use them
64  privately in your own work or play, without even mentioning that they  privately in your own work or play, without even mentioning that they
65  exist.  If you do publish your changes, you should not be required to  exist.  If you do publish your changes, you should not be required to
66  notify anyone in particular, or in any particular way.</p>  notify anyone in particular, or in any particular way.
67    </p>
68    
69  <p>  <p>
70  The freedom to use a program means the freedom for any kind of person  The freedom to run the program means the freedom for any kind of person
71  or organization to use it on any kind of computer system, for any kind  or organization to use it on any kind of computer system, for any kind of
72  of overall job, and without being required to communicate subsequently  overall job and purpose, without being required to communicate about it
73  with the developer or any other specific entity.</p>  with the developer or any other specific entity.  In this freedom, it is
74    the <em>user's</em> purpose that matters, not the <em>developer's</em>
75    purpose; you as a user are free to run the program for your purposes,
76    and if you distribute it to someone else, she is then free to run it
77    for her purposes, but you are not entitled to impose your purposes on her.
78    </p>
79    
80  <p>  <p>
81  The freedom to redistribute copies must include binary or executable  The freedom to redistribute copies must include binary or executable
82  forms of the program, as well as source code, for both modified and  forms of the program, as well as source code, for both modified and
83  unmodified versions.  (Distributing programs in runnable form is  unmodified versions.  (Distributing programs in runnable form is necessary
84  necessary for conveniently installable free operating systems.)  It is  for conveniently installable free operating systems.)  It is OK if there
85  ok if there is no way to produce a binary or executable form for a  is no way to produce a binary or executable form for a certain program
86  certain program (since some languages don't support that feature), but  (since some languages don't support that feature), but you must have the
87  you must have the freedom to redistribute such forms should you find  freedom to redistribute such forms should you find or develop a way to
88  or develop a way to make them.</p>  make them.
89  <p>  </p>
90  In order for the freedoms to make changes, and to publish improved  
91  versions, to be meaningful, you must have access to the source code of  <p>
92  the program.  Therefore, accessibility of source code is a necessary  In order for freedoms 1 and 3 (the freedom to make changes and the
93  condition for free software.</p>  freedom to publish improved versions) to be meaningful, you must have
94  <p>  access to the source code of the program.  Therefore, accessibility of
95  In order for these freedoms to be real, they must be irrevocable as  source code is a necessary condition for free software.  Obfuscated
96  long as you do nothing wrong; if the developer of the software has the  &ldquo;source code&rdquo; is not real source code and does not count
97  power to revoke the license, without your doing anything to give  as source code.
98  cause, the software is not free.</p>  </p>
99    
100    <p>
101    Freedom 1 includes the freedom to use your changed version in place of
102    the original.  If the program is delivered in a product designed to
103    run someone else's modified versions but refuse to run yours &mdash; a
104    practice known as &ldquo;tivoization&rdquo; or &ldquo;lockdown&rdquo;,
105    or (in its practitioners' perverse terminology) as &ldquo;secure
106    boot&rdquo; &mdash; freedom 1 becomes a theoretical fiction rather
107    than a practical freedom.  This is not sufficient.  In other words,
108    these binaries are not free software even if the source code they are
109    compiled from is free.
110    </p>
111    
112    <p>
113    One important way to modify a program is by merging in available free
114    subroutines and modules.  If the program's license says that you
115    cannot merge in a suitably licensed existing module &mdash; for instance, if it
116    requires you to be the copyright holder of any code you add &mdash; then the
117    license is too restrictive to qualify as free.
118    </p>
119    
120    <p>
121    Freedom 3 includes the freedom to release your modified versions
122    as free software.  A free license may also permit other ways of
123    releasing them; in other words, it does not have to be
124    a <a href="/copyleft/copyleft.html">copyleft</a> license.  However, a
125    license that requires modified versions to be nonfree does not qualify
126    as a free license.
127    </p>
128    
129    <p>
130    In order for these freedoms to be real, they must be permanent and
131    irrevocable as long as you do nothing wrong; if the developer of the
132    software has the power to revoke the license, or retroactively change
133    its terms, without your doing anything wrong to give cause, the
134    software is not free.
135    </p>
136    
137  <p>  <p>
138  However, certain kinds of rules about the manner of distributing free  However, certain kinds of rules about the manner of distributing free
139  software are acceptable, when they don't conflict with the central  software are acceptable, when they don't conflict with the central
140  freedoms.  For example, copyleft (very simply stated) is the rule that  freedoms.  For example, copyleft (very simply stated) is the rule that
141  when redistributing the program, you cannot add restrictions to deny  when redistributing the program, you cannot add restrictions to deny
142  other people the central freedoms.  This rule does not conflict with  other people the central freedoms.  This rule does not conflict with
143  the central freedoms; rather it protects them.</p>  the central freedoms; rather it protects them.
144    </p>
145    
146    <p>
147    &ldquo;Free software&rdquo; does not mean &ldquo;noncommercial.&rdquo;  A free
148    program must be available for commercial use, commercial development,
149    and commercial distribution.  Commercial development of free software
150    is no longer unusual; such free commercial software is very important.
151    You may have paid money to get copies of free software, or you may have
152    obtained copies at no charge.  But regardless of how you got your copies,
153    you always have the freedom to copy and change the software, even to
154    <a href="/philosophy/selling.html">sell copies</a>.
155    </p>
156    
157    <p>
158    Whether a change constitutes an improvement is a subjective matter.
159    If your modifications are limited, in substance, to changes that
160    someone else considers an improvement, that is not freedom.
161    </p>
162    
163    <p>
164    However, rules about how to package a modified version are acceptable,
165    if they don't substantively limit your freedom to release modified
166    versions, or your freedom to make and use modified versions privately.
167    Thus, it is acceptable for the license to require that you change the
168    name of the modified version, remove a logo, or identify your
169    modifications as yours.  As long as these requirements are not so
170    burdensome that they effectively hamper you from releasing your
171    changes, they are acceptable; you're already making other changes to
172    the program, so you won't have trouble making a few more.
173    </p>
174    
175    <p>
176    Rules that &ldquo;if you make your version available in this way, you
177    must make it available in that way also&rdquo; can be acceptable too,
178    on the same condition.  An example of such an acceptable rule is one
179    saying that if you have distributed a
180    modified version and a previous developer asks for a copy of it, you
181    must send one.  (Note that such a rule still leaves you the choice of
182    whether to distribute your version at all.)  Rules that require release
183    of source code to the users for versions that you put into public use
184    are also acceptable.
185    </p>
186    
187    <p>
188    In the GNU project, we use
189    <a href="/copyleft/copyleft.html">copyleft</a>
190    to protect these freedoms legally for everyone.  But
191    <a href="/philosophy/categories.html#Non-CopyleftedFreeSoftware">noncopylefted
192    free software</a> also exists.  We believe there are important reasons why
193    <a href="/philosophy/pragmatic.html">it is better to use copyleft</a>,
194    but if your program is noncopylefted free software, it is still basically
195    ethical. (See <a href="/philosophy/categories.html">Categories of Free Software</a> for a description of how &ldquo;free software,&rdquo; &ldquo;copylefted software&rdquo; and other categories of software relate to each other.)
196    </p>
197    
198    <p>
199    Sometimes government <a id="exportcontrol">export control regulations</a>
200    and trade sanctions can constrain your freedom to distribute copies of
201    programs internationally.  Software developers do not have the power to
202    eliminate or override these restrictions, but what they can and must do
203    is refuse to impose them as conditions of use of the program.  In this
204    way, the restrictions will not affect activities and people outside the
205    jurisdictions of these governments.  Thus, free software licenses
206    must not require obedience to any export regulations as a condition of
207    any of the essential freedoms.
208    </p>
209    
210  <p>  <p>
211  Thus, you may have paid money to get copies of free software, or you  Most free software licenses are based on copyright, and there are limits
212  may have obtained copies at no charge.  But regardless of how you got  on what kinds of requirements can be imposed through copyright.  If a
213  your copies, you always have the freedom to copy and change the  copyright-based license respects freedom in the ways described above, it
214  software, even to <a href="/philosophy/selling.html">sell copies</a>.</p>  is unlikely to have some other sort of problem that we never anticipated
215  <p>  (though this does happen occasionally).  However, some free software
216  ``Free software'' does not mean ``non-commercial''.  A free program  licenses are based on contracts, and contracts can impose a much larger
217  must be available for commercial use, commercial development, and  range of possible restrictions.  That means there are many possible ways
218  commercial distribution.  Commercial development of free software is  such a license could be unacceptably restrictive and nonfree.
219  no longer unusual; such free commercial software is very important.</p>  </p>
220  <p>  
221  Rules about how to package a modified version are acceptable, if they  <p>
222  don't effectively block your freedom to release modified versions.  We can't possibly list all the ways that might happen.  If a
223  Rules that ``if you make the program available in this way, you must  contract-based license restricts the user in an unusual way that
224  make it available in that way also'' can be acceptable too, on the  copyright-based licenses cannot, and which isn't mentioned here as
225  same condition.  (Note that such a rule still leaves you the choice of  legitimate, we will have to think about it, and we will probably conclude
226  whether to publish the program or not.)  It is also acceptable for the  it is nonfree.
227  license to require that, if you have distributed a modified version  </p>
228  and a previous developer asks for a copy of it, you must send one.</p>  
229  <p>  <p>
230  In the GNU project, we use <a href="/copyleft/copyleft.html">``copyleft''</a>  When talking about free software, it is best to avoid using terms
231  to protect these freedoms legally for everyone.  But  like &ldquo;give away&rdquo; or &ldquo;for free,&rdquo; because those terms imply that
232  <a href="/philosophy/categories.html#Non-CopyleftedFreeSoftware">non-copylefted  the issue is about price, not freedom.  Some common terms such
233  free software</a> also exists.  We believe there are  as &ldquo;piracy&rdquo; embody opinions we hope you won't endorse.  See
234  important reasons why <a href="/philosophy/pragmatic.html"> it is  <a href="/philosophy/words-to-avoid.html">Confusing Words and Phrases that
235  better to use copyleft</a>, but if your program is non-copylefted free  are Worth Avoiding</a> for a discussion of these terms.  We also have
236  software, we can still use it.</p>  a list of proper <a href="/philosophy/fs-translations.html">translations of
237  <p>  &ldquo;free software&rdquo;</a> into various languages.
238  See <a href="/philosophy/categories.html">Categories of Free Software</a>  </p>
239  for a description of how ``free software,'' ``copylefted software'' and  
 other categories of software relate to each other.</p>  
 <p>  
 Sometimes government <a id="exportcontrol">export control  
 regulations</a> and trade sanctions can constrain your freedom to  
 distribute copies of programs internationally.  Software developers do  
 not have the power to eliminate or override these restrictions, but  
 what they can and must do is refuse to impose them as conditions of  
 use of the program.  In this way, the restrictions will not affect  
 activities and people outside the jurisdictions of these governments.</p>  
 <p>  
 Most free software licenses are based on copyright, and there are  
 limits on what kinds of requirements can be imposed through copyright.  
 If a copyright-based license respects freedom in the ways described  
 above, it is unlikely to have some other sort of problem that we never  
 anticipated (though this does happen occasionally).  However, some  
 free software licenses are based on contracts, and contracts can  
 impose a much larger range of possible restrictions.  That means there  
 are many possible ways such a license could be unacceptably  
 restrictive and non-free.</p>  
 <p>  
 We can't possibly list all the possible contract restrictions that  
 would be unacceptable.  If a contract-based license restricts the user  
 in an unusual way that copyright-based licenses cannot, and which  
 isn't mentioned here as legitimate, we will have to think about it,  
 and we will probably decide it is non-free.</p>  
 <p>  
 When talking about free software, it is best to avoid using terms like  
 ``give away'' or ``for free'', because those terms imply that the  
 issue is about price, not freedom.  Some common terms such as  
 ``piracy'' embody opinions we hope you won't endorse.  See  
 <a href="/philosophy/words-to-avoid.html">Confusing Words and Phrases  
 that are Worth Avoiding</a> for a discussion of these terms.  
 We also have a list of <a href="/philosophy/fs-translations.html">translations  
 of "free software"</a> into various languages.</p>  
240  <p>  <p>
241  Finally, note that criteria such as those stated in this free software  Finally, note that criteria such as those stated in this free software
242  definition require careful thought for their interpretation.  To  definition require careful thought for their interpretation.  To decide
243  decide whether a specific software license qualifies as a free  whether a specific software license qualifies as a free software license,
244  software license, we judge it based on these criteria to determine  we judge it based on these criteria to determine whether it fits their
245  whether it fits their spirit as well as the precise words.  If a  spirit as well as the precise words.  If a license includes unconscionable
246  license includes unconscionable restrictions, we reject it, even if we  restrictions, we reject it, even if we did not anticipate the issue
247  did not anticipate the issue in these criteria.  Sometimes a license  in these criteria.  Sometimes a license requirement raises an issue
248  requirement raises an issue that calls for extensive thought,  that calls for extensive thought, including discussions with a lawyer,
249  including discussions with a lawyer, before we can decide if the  before we can decide if the requirement is acceptable.  When we reach
250  requirement is acceptable.  When we reach a conclusion about a new  a conclusion about a new issue, we often update these criteria to make
251  issue, we often update these criteria to make it easier to see why  it easier to see why certain licenses do or don't qualify.
252  certain licenses do or don't qualify.</p>  </p>
253  <p>  
254  If you are interested in whether a specific license qualifies as a  <p>
255  free software license, see our <a href="/licenses/license-list.html">list  If you are interested in whether a specific license qualifies as a free
256  of licenses</a>.  If the  software license, see our <a href="/licenses/license-list.html">list
257  license you are concerned with is not listed there, you can ask us  of licenses</a>.  If the license you are concerned with is not
258  about it by sending us email  listed there, you can ask us about it by sending us email at
259  at <a href="mailto:licensing@gnu.org">&lt;licensing@gnu.org&gt;</a>.</p>  <a href="mailto:licensing@gnu.org">&lt;licensing@gnu.org&gt;</a>.
260    </p>
261  <hr />  
262    <p>
263  <p>  If you are contemplating writing a new license, please contact the
264  Another group has started using the term "open source" to mean  Free Software Foundation first by writing to that address. The
265  something close (but not identical) to "free software".  We prefer the  proliferation of different free software licenses means increased work
266  term "free software" because, once you have heard it refers to freedom  for users in understanding the licenses; we may be able to help you
267  rather than price, <a href="free-software-for-freedom.html">it calls  find an existing free software license that meets your needs.
268  to mind freedom</a>.</p>  </p>
269    
270  <hr />  <p>
271  <h4><a href="/philosophy/philosophy.html">Other Texts to Read</a></h4>  If that isn't possible, if you really need a new license, with our
272    help you can ensure that the license really is a free software license
273    and avoid various practical problems.
274  <!-- All pages on the GNU web server should have the section about    -->  </p>
275  <!-- verbatim copying.  Please do NOT remove this without talking     -->  
276  <!-- with the webmasters first. -->  <h2 id="beyond-software">Beyond Software</h2>
277  <!-- Please make sure the copyright date is consistent with the document -->  
278  <!-- and that it is like this "2001, 2002" not this "2001-2002." -->  <p>
279    <a href="/philosophy/free-doc.html">Software manuals must be free</a>,
280  <div class="translations">  for the same reasons that software must be free, and because the
281  <p><a id="translations"></a>  manuals are in effect part of the software.
282  <b>Translations of this page</b>:<br />  </p>
283    
284  <!-- Please keep this list alphabetical, and in the original -->  <p>
285  <!-- language if possible, otherwise default to English -->  The same arguments also make sense for other kinds of works of
286  <!-- If you do not have it English, please comment what the -->  practical use &mdash; that is to say, works that embody useful knowledge,
287  <!-- English is.  If you add a new language here, please -->  such as educational works and reference
288  <!-- advise web-trans@gnu.org and add it to -->  works.  <a href="http://wikipedia.org">Wikipedia</a> is the best-known
289  <!--    - in /home/www/bin/nightly-vars either TAGSLANG or WEBLANG -->  example.
 <!--    - in /home/www/html/server/standards/README.translations.html -->  
 <!--      one of the lists under the section "Translations Underway" -->  
 <!--    - if there is a translation team, you also have to add an alias -->  
 <!--      to mail.gnu.org:/com/mailer/aliases -->  
 <!-- Please also check you have the 2 letter language code right versus -->  
 <!--     http://www.w3.org/WAI/ER/IG/ert/iso639.htm -->  
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 ]  
290  </p>  </p>
 </div>  
291    
 <div class="copyright">  
292  <p>  <p>
293  Return to the <a href="/home.html">GNU Project home page</a>.  Any kind of work <em>can</em> be free, and the definition of free software
294    has been extended to a definition of <a href="http://freedomdefined.org/">
295    free cultural works</a> applicable to any kind of works.
296  </p>  </p>
297    
298    <h2 id="open-source">Open Source?</h2>
299    
300    <p>
301    Another group has started using the term &ldquo;open source&rdquo; to mean
302    something close (but not identical) to &ldquo;free software.&rdquo;  We
303    prefer the term &ldquo;free software&rdquo; because, once you have heard that
304    it refers to freedom rather than price, it calls to mind freedom.  The
305    word &ldquo;open&rdquo; <a href="/philosophy/open-source-misses-the-point.html">
306    never refers to freedom</a>.
307    </p>
308    
309    <h2 id="History">History</h2>
310    
311    <p>From time to time we revise this Free Software Definition to
312    clarify it.  Here we provide a list of those modifications, along with
313    links to illustrate exactly what changed, so that others can review
314    them if they like.</p>
315    
316    <ul>
317    
318    <li><a href="http://web.cvs.savannah.gnu.org/viewvc/www/philosophy/free-sw.html?root=www&amp;r1=1.104&amp;r2=1.105">Version
319    1.105</a>: Reflect, in the brief statement of freedom 1, the point
320    (already stated in version 1.80) that it includes really using your modified
321    version for your computing.</li>
322    
323    <li><a href="http://web.cvs.savannah.gnu.org/viewvc/www/philosophy/free-sw.html?root=www&amp;r1=1.91&amp;r2=1.92">Version
324    1.92</a>: Clarify that obfuscated code does not qualify as source code.</li>
325    
326    <li><a href="http://web.cvs.savannah.gnu.org/viewvc/www/philosophy/free-sw.html?root=www&amp;r1=1.89&amp;r2=1.90">Version
327    1.90</a>: Clarify that freedom 3 means the right to distribute copies
328    of your own modified or improved version, not a right to participate
329    in someone else's development project.</li>
330    
331    <li><a href="http://web.cvs.savannah.gnu.org/viewvc/www/philosophy/free-sw.html?root=www&amp;r1=1.88&amp;r2=1.89">Version
332    1.89</a>: Freedom 3 includes the right to release modified versions as
333    free software.</li>
334    
335    <li><a href="http://web.cvs.savannah.gnu.org/viewvc/www/philosophy/free-sw.html?root=www&amp;r1=1.79&amp;r2=1.80">Version
336    1.80</a>: Freedom 1 must be practical, not just theoretical;
337    i.e., no tivoization.</li>
338    
339    <li><a href="http://web.cvs.savannah.gnu.org/viewvc/www/philosophy/free-sw.html?root=www&amp;r1=1.76&amp;r2=1.77">Version
340    1.77</a>: Clarify that all retroactive changes to the license are
341    unacceptable, even if it's not described as a complete
342    replacement.</li>
343    
344    <li><a href="http://web.cvs.savannah.gnu.org/viewvc/www/philosophy/free-sw.html?root=www&amp;r1=1.73&amp;r2=1.74">Version
345    1.74</a>: Four clarifications of points not explicit enough, or stated
346    in some places but not reflected everywhere:
347    <ul>
348    <li>"Improvements" does not mean the license can
349    substantively limit what kinds of modified versions you can release.
350    Freedom 3 includes distributing modified versions, not just changes.</li>
351    <li>The right to merge in existing modules
352    refers to those that are suitably licensed.</li>
353    <li>Explicitly state the conclusion of the point about export controls.</li>
354    <li>Imposing a license change constitutes revoking the old license.</li>
355    </ul>
356    </li>
357    
358    <li><a href="http://web.cvs.savannah.gnu.org/viewvc/www/philosophy/free-sw.html?root=www&amp;r1=1.56&amp;r2=1.57">Version
359    1.57</a>: Add &quot;Beyond Software&quot; section.</li>
360    
361    <li><a href="http://web.cvs.savannah.gnu.org/viewvc/www/philosophy/free-sw.html?root=www&amp;r1=1.45&amp;r2=1.46">Version
362    1.46</a>: Clarify whose purpose is significant in the freedom to run
363    the program for any purpose.</li>
364    
365    <li><a href="http://web.cvs.savannah.gnu.org/viewvc/www/philosophy/free-sw.html?root=www&amp;r1=1.40&amp;r2=1.41">Version
366    1.41</a>: Clarify wording about contract-based licenses.</li>
367    
368    <li><a href="http://web.cvs.savannah.gnu.org/viewvc/www/philosophy/free-sw.html?root=www&amp;r1=1.39&amp;r2=1.40">Version
369    1.40</a>: Explain that a free license must allow to you use other
370    available free software to create your modifications.</li>
371    
372    <li><a href="http://web.cvs.savannah.gnu.org/viewvc/www/philosophy/free-sw.html?root=www&amp;r1=1.38&amp;r2=1.39">Version
373    1.39</a>: Note that it is acceptable for a license to require you to
374    provide source for versions of the software you put into public
375    use.</li>
376    
377    <li><a href="http://web.cvs.savannah.gnu.org/viewvc/www/philosophy/free-sw.html?root=www&amp;r1=1.30&amp;r2=1.31">Version
378    1.31</a>: Note that it is acceptable for a license to require you to
379    identify yourself as the author of modifications.  Other minor
380    clarifications throughout the text.</li>
381    
382    <li><a href="http://web.cvs.savannah.gnu.org/viewvc/www/philosophy/free-sw.html?root=www&amp;r1=1.22&amp;r2=1.23">Version
383    1.23</a>: Address potential problems related to contract-based
384    licenses.</li>
385    
386    <li><a href="http://web.cvs.savannah.gnu.org/viewvc/www/philosophy/free-sw.html?root=www&amp;r1=1.15&amp;r2=1.16">Version
387    1.16</a>: Explain why distribution of binaries is important.</li>
388    
389    <li><a href="http://web.cvs.savannah.gnu.org/viewvc/www/philosophy/free-sw.html?root=www&amp;r1=1.10&amp;r2=1.11">Version
390    1.11</a>: Note that a free license may require you to send a copy of
391    versions you distribute to the author.</li>
392    
393    </ul>
394    
395    <p>There are gaps in the version numbers because there are many other
396    changes that do not affect the substance of the definition at all.
397    Instead, they fix links, add translations, and so on.  If you would
398    like to review the complete list of changes, you can do so on
399    our <a href="http://web.cvs.savannah.gnu.org/viewvc/www/philosophy/free-sw.html?root=www&amp;view=log">cvsweb
400    interface</a>.</p>
401    
402    </div>
403    
404    <!--#include virtual="/server/footer.html" -->
405    
406    <div id="footer">
407    
408  <p>  <p>
409  Please send FSF &amp; GNU inquiries to  Please send FSF &amp; GNU inquiries to
410  <a href="mailto:gnu@gnu.org"><em>gnu@gnu.org</em></a>.  <a href="mailto:gnu@gnu.org">&lt;gnu@gnu.org&gt;</a>.
411  There are also <a href="/home.html#ContactInfo">other ways to contact</a>  There are also <a href="/contact/">other ways to contact</a>
412  the FSF.  the FSF.
413  <br />  <br />
414  Please send broken links and other corrections (or suggestions) to  Please send broken links and other corrections or suggestions to
415  <a href="mailto:webmasters@gnu.org"><em>webmasters@gnu.org</em></a>.  <a href="mailto:webmasters@gnu.org">&lt;webmasters@gnu.org&gt;</a>.
416  </p>  </p>
417    
418  <p>  <p>
# Line 262  translations of this article. Line 423  translations of this article.
423  </p>  </p>
424    
425  <p>  <p>
426  Copyright (C) 1996, 1997, 1998, 1999, 2000, 2001, 2002, 2003, Free  Copyright &copy; 1996, 1997, 1998, 1999, 2000, 2001, 2002, 2004,
427  Software Foundation, Inc., 59 Temple Place - Suite 330, Boston, MA  2005, 2006, 2007, 2009, 2010 Free Software Foundation, Inc.
428  02111,  USA  </p>
429  <br />  <p>This page is licensed under a <a rel="license"
430  Verbatim copying and distribution of this entire article is  href="http://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-nd/3.0/us/">Creative
431  permitted in any medium without royalty provided this notice is  Commons Attribution-NoDerivs 3.0 United States License</a>.
 preserved.  
432  </p>  </p>
433    
434  <p>  <p>
435  Updated:  Updated:
436  <!-- timestamp start -->  <!-- timestamp start -->
437  $Date$ $Author$  $Date$
438  <!-- timestamp end -->  <!-- timestamp end -->
439  </p>  </p>
440  </div>  </div>
441    
442    <!-- <div id="translations"> -->
443    <!-- <h4>Translations of this page</h4> -->
444    <!--  -->
445    <!-- Please keep this list alphabetical by language code. -->
446    <!--      Comment what the language is for each type, i.e. de is German. -->
447    <!--      Write the language name in its own language (Deutsch) in the text. -->
448    <!--      If you add a new language here, please -->
449    <!--      advise web-translators@gnu.org and add it to -->
450    <!--       - /home/www/html/server/standards/README.translations.html -->
451    <!--       - one of the lists under the section "Translations Underway" -->
452    <!--       - if there is a translation team, you also have to add an alias -->
453    <!--       to mail.gnu.org:/com/mailer/aliases -->
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455    <!--      http://www.loc.gov/standards/iso639-2/php/code_list.php -->
456    <!--      If the 2-letter ISO 639-1 code is not available, -->
457    <!--      use the 3-letter ISO 639-2. -->
458    <!--      Please use W3C normative character entities. -->
459    <!--  -->
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463    <!-- Arabic -->
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467    <!-- Bulgarian -->
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472    <!-- <li><a href="/philosophy/free-sw.bs.html">bosanski</a>&nbsp;[bs]</li> -->
473    <!-- Catalan -->
474    <!-- <li><a href="/philosophy/free-sw.ca.html">catal&#x00e0;</a>&nbsp;[ca]</li> -->
475    <!-- Czech -->
476    <!-- <li><a href="/philosophy/free-sw.cs.html">&#x010c;esky</a>&nbsp;[cs]</li> -->
477    <!-- Danish -->
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479    <!-- German -->
480    <!-- <li><a href="/philosophy/free-sw.de.html">Deutsch</a>&nbsp;[de]</li> -->
481    <!-- Greek -->
482    <!-- <li><a href="/philosophy/free-sw.el.html">&#x03b5;&#x03bb;&#x03bb;&#x03b7;&#x03bd;&#x03b9;&#x03ba;&#x03ac;</a>&nbsp;[el]</li> -->
483    <!-- English -->
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485    <!-- Esperanto -->
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487    <!-- Spanish -->
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539    <!-- </ul> -->
540    <!-- </div> -->
541    
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545  </html>  </html>
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