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3  <title>The Free Software Definition - GNU Project - Free Software Foundation (FSF)</title>  <title>What is free software?
4    - GNU Project - Free Software Foundation</title>
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16    
17  <h2>The Free Software Definition</h2>  <h2>What is free software?</h2>
18    
19  <p>  <div class="article">
20  We maintain this free software definition to show clearly what must be  <h3>The Free Software Definition</h3>
21  true about a particular software program for it to be considered free  
22  software.  From time to time we revise this definition to clarify it.  <blockquote class="note" id="fsf-licensing"><p style="font-size: 80%">
23  If you would like to review the changes we've made, please see  Have a question about free software licensing not answered here?
24  the <a href="#History">History section</a> below for more information.  See our other <a href="http://www.fsf.org/licensing">licensing resources</a>,
25    and if necessary contact the FSF Compliance Lab
26    at <a href="mailto:licensing@fsf.org">licensing@fsf.org</a>.</p>
27    </blockquote>
28    
29    <div class="comment">
30    <p>
31    The free software definition presents the criteria for whether a
32    particular software program qualifies as free software.  From time to
33    time we revise this definition, to clarify it or to resolve questions
34    about subtle issues.  See the <a href="#History">History section</a>
35    below for a list of changes that affect the definition of free
36    software.
37  </p>  </p>
38    
39  <p>  <p>
40  &ldquo;Free software&rdquo; is a matter of liberty, not price.  To understand  &ldquo;Open source&rdquo; is something different: it has a very
41  the concept, you should think of &ldquo;free&rdquo; as in &ldquo;free speech,&rdquo;  different philosophy based on different values.  Its practical
42  not as in &ldquo;free beer.&rdquo;  definition is different too, but nearly all open source programs are
43    in fact free.  We explain the
44    difference in <a href="/philosophy/open-source-misses-the-point.html">
45    Why &ldquo;Open Source&rdquo; misses the point of Free Software</a>.
46  </p>  </p>
47    </div>
48    
49  <p>  <p>
50  Free software is a matter of the users' freedom to run, copy, distribute,  &ldquo;Free software&rdquo; means software that respects users'
51  study, change and improve the software.  More precisely, it means that the  freedom and community.  Roughly, it means that <b>the users have the
52  program's users have the four essential freedoms:  freedom to run, copy, distribute, study, change and improve the
53    software</b>.  Thus, &ldquo;free software&rdquo; is a matter of
54    liberty, not price.  To understand the concept, you should think of
55    &ldquo;free&rdquo; as in &ldquo;free speech,&rdquo; not as in
56    &ldquo;free beer&rdquo;.  We sometimes call it &ldquo;libre
57    software,&rdquo; borrowing the French or Spanish word for
58    &ldquo;free&rdquo; as in freedom, to show we do not mean the software
59    is gratis.
60  </p>  </p>
61    
62  <ul>  <p>
63    <li>The freedom to run the program, for any purpose (freedom 0).</li>  We campaign for these freedoms because everyone deserves them.  With
64    <li>The freedom to study how the program works, and change it to make  these freedoms, the users (both individually and collectively) control
65        it do what you wish (freedom 1). Access to the source code is a  the program and what it does for them.  When users don't control the
66        precondition for this.  program, we call it a &ldquo;nonfree&rdquo; or
67    &ldquo;proprietary&rdquo; program.  The nonfree program controls the
68    users, and the developer controls the program; this makes the
69    program <a href="/philosophy/free-software-even-more-important.html">
70    an instrument of unjust power</a>.
71    </p>
72    
73    <h4> The four essential freedoms</h4>
74    
75    <p>
76    A program is free software if the program's users have the
77    four essential freedoms: <a href="#f1">[1]</a>
78    </p>
79    
80    <ul class="important">
81      <li>The freedom to run the program as you wish,
82          for any purpose (freedom 0).</li>
83      <li>The freedom to study how the program works, and change it so it
84          does your computing as you wish (freedom 1). Access to the source
85          code is a precondition for this.
86    </li>    </li>
87    <li>The freedom to redistribute copies so you can help your neighbor    <li>The freedom to redistribute copies so you can help others
88        (freedom 2).        (freedom 2).
89    </li>    </li>
90    <li>The freedom to distribute copies of your modified versions    <li>The freedom to distribute copies of your modified versions
# Line 48  program's users have the four essential Line 95  program's users have the four essential
95  </ul>  </ul>
96    
97  <p>  <p>
98  A program is free software if users have all of these freedoms.  Thus,  A program is free software if it gives users adequately all of these
99  you should be free to redistribute copies, either with or without  freedoms.  Otherwise, it is nonfree.  While we can distinguish various
100  modifications, either gratis or charging a fee for distribution, to  nonfree distribution schemes in terms of how far they fall short of
101  <a href="#exportcontrol">anyone anywhere</a>.  Being free to do these  being free, we consider them all equally unethical.</p>
102  things means (among other things) that you do not have to ask or pay  
103  for permission to do so.  <p>In any given scenario, these freedoms must apply to whatever code
104  </p>  we plan to make use of, or lead others to make use of.  For instance,
105    consider a program A which automatically launches a program B to
106    handle some cases.  If we plan to distribute A as it stands, that
107    implies users will need B, so we need to judge whether both A and B
108    are free.  However, if we plan to modify A so that it doesn't use B,
109    only A needs to be free; B is not pertinent to that plan.</p>
110    
111  <p>  <p>
112  You should also have the freedom to make modifications and use them  &ldquo;Free software&rdquo; does not mean &ldquo;noncommercial&rdquo;.  A free
113  privately in your own work or play, without even mentioning that they  program must be available for commercial use, commercial development,
114  exist.  If you do publish your changes, you should not be required to  and commercial distribution.  Commercial development of free software
115  notify anyone in particular, or in any particular way.  is no longer unusual; such free commercial software is very important.
116    You may have paid money to get copies of free software, or you may have
117    obtained copies at no charge.  But regardless of how you got your copies,
118    you always have the freedom to copy and change the software, even to
119    <a href="/philosophy/selling.html">sell copies</a>.
120  </p>  </p>
121    
122    <p>The rest of this page clarifies certain points about what makes
123    specific freedoms adequate or not.</p>
124    
125    <h4>The freedom to run the program as you wish</h4>
126    
127  <p>  <p>
128  The freedom to run the program means the freedom for any kind of person  The freedom to run the program means the freedom for any kind of person
129  or organization to use it on any kind of computer system, for any kind of  or organization to use it on any kind of computer system, for any kind of
# Line 75  for her purposes, but you are not entitl Line 136  for her purposes, but you are not entitl
136  </p>  </p>
137    
138  <p>  <p>
139  The freedom to redistribute copies must include binary or executable  The freedom to run the program as you wish means that you are not
140  forms of the program, as well as source code, for both modified and  forbidden or stopped from making it run.  This has nothing to do with what
141  unmodified versions.  (Distributing programs in runnable form is necessary  functionality the program has, whether it is technically capable of
142  for conveniently installable free operating systems.)  It is OK if there  functioning in any given environment, or whether it is useful for any
143  is no way to produce a binary or executable form for a certain program  particular computing activity.</p>
144  (since some languages don't support that feature), but you must have the  
145  freedom to redistribute such forms should you find or develop a way to  <h4>The freedom to study the source code and make changes</h4>
 make them.  
 </p>  
146    
147  <p>  <p>
148  In order for freedoms 1 and 3 (the freedom to make changes and the  In order for freedoms 1 and 3 (the freedom to make changes and the
149  freedom to publish improved versions) to be meaningful, you must have  freedom to publish the changed versions) to be meaningful, you must have
150  access to the source code of the program.  Therefore, accessibility of  access to the source code of the program.  Therefore, accessibility of
151  source code is a necessary condition for free software.  Obfuscated  source code is a necessary condition for free software.  Obfuscated
152  &ldquo;source code&rdquo; is not real source code and does not count  &ldquo;source code&rdquo; is not real source code and does not count
# Line 97  as source code. Line 156  as source code.
156  <p>  <p>
157  Freedom 1 includes the freedom to use your changed version in place of  Freedom 1 includes the freedom to use your changed version in place of
158  the original.  If the program is delivered in a product designed to  the original.  If the program is delivered in a product designed to
159  run someone else's modified versions but refuse to run yours &mdash;  run someone else's modified versions but refuse to run yours &mdash; a
160  a practice known as &ldquo;tivoization&rdquo; or (in its practitioners'  practice known as &ldquo;tivoization&rdquo; or &ldquo;lockdown&rdquo;,
161  perverse terminology) as &ldquo;secure boot&rdquo; &mdash; freedom 1 becomes a  or (in its practitioners' perverse terminology) as &ldquo;secure
162  theoretical fiction rather than a practical freedom.  This is not  boot&rdquo; &mdash; freedom 1 becomes an empty pretense rather than a
163  sufficient.  In other words, these binaries are not free software  practical reality.  These binaries are not free
164  even if the source code they are compiled from is free.  software even if the source code they are compiled from is free.
165  </p>  </p>
166    
167  <p>  <p>
# Line 114  license is too restrictive to qualify as Line 173  license is too restrictive to qualify as
173  </p>  </p>
174    
175  <p>  <p>
176    Whether a change constitutes an improvement is a subjective matter.
177    If your right to modify a program is limited, in substance, to changes that
178    someone else considers an improvement, that program is not free.
179    </p>
180    
181    <h4>The freedom to redistribute if you wish: basic requirements</h4>
182    
183    <p>Freedom to distribute (freedoms 2 and 3) means you are free to
184    redistribute copies, either with or without modifications, either
185    gratis or charging a fee for distribution, to
186    <a href="#exportcontrol">anyone anywhere</a>.  Being free to do these
187    things means (among other things) that you do not have to ask or pay
188    for permission to do so.
189    </p>
190    
191    <p>
192    You should also have the freedom to make modifications and use them
193    privately in your own work or play, without even mentioning that they
194    exist.  If you do publish your changes, you should not be required to
195    notify anyone in particular, or in any particular way.
196    </p>
197    
198    <p>
199  Freedom 3 includes the freedom to release your modified versions  Freedom 3 includes the freedom to release your modified versions
200  as free software.  A free license may also permit other ways of  as free software.  A free license may also permit other ways of
201  releasing them; in other words, it does not have to be  releasing them; in other words, it does not have to be
# Line 123  as a free license. Line 205  as a free license.
205  </p>  </p>
206    
207  <p>  <p>
208  In order for these freedoms to be real, they must be permanent and  The freedom to redistribute copies must include binary or executable
209  irrevocable as long as you do nothing wrong; if the developer of the  forms of the program, as well as source code, for both modified and
210  software has the power to revoke the license, or retroactively change  unmodified versions.  (Distributing programs in runnable form is necessary
211  its terms, without your doing anything wrong to give cause, the  for conveniently installable free operating systems.)  It is OK if there
212  software is not free.  is no way to produce a binary or executable form for a certain program
213    (since some languages don't support that feature), but you must have the
214    freedom to redistribute such forms should you find or develop a way to
215    make them.
216  </p>  </p>
217    
218    <h4>Copyleft</h4>
219    
220  <p>  <p>
221  However, certain kinds of rules about the manner of distributing free  Certain kinds of rules about the manner of distributing free
222  software are acceptable, when they don't conflict with the central  software are acceptable, when they don't conflict with the central
223  freedoms.  For example, copyleft (very simply stated) is the rule that  freedoms.  For example, <a href="/copyleft/copyleft.html">copyleft</a>
224  when redistributing the program, you cannot add restrictions to deny  (very simply stated) is the rule that when redistributing the program,
225  other people the central freedoms.  This rule does not conflict with  you cannot add restrictions to deny other people the central freedoms.
226  the central freedoms; rather it protects them.  This rule does not conflict with the central freedoms; rather it
227    protects them.
228  </p>  </p>
229    
230  <p>  <p>
231  &ldquo;Free software&rdquo; does not mean &ldquo;noncommercial.&rdquo;  A free  In the GNU project, we use copyleft to protect the four freedoms
232  program must be available for commercial use, commercial development,  legally for everyone.  We believe there are important reasons why
233  and commercial distribution.  Commercial development of free software  <a href="/philosophy/pragmatic.html">it is better to use
234  is no longer unusual; such free commercial software is very important.  copyleft</a>.  However,
235  You may have paid money to get copies of free software, or you may have  <a href="/philosophy/categories.html#Non-CopyleftedFreeSoftware">
236  obtained copies at no charge.  But regardless of how you got your copies,  noncopylefted free software</a> is ethical
237  you always have the freedom to copy and change the software, even to  too.  See <a href="/philosophy/categories.html">Categories of Free
238  <a href="/philosophy/selling.html">sell copies</a>.  Software</a> for a description of how &ldquo;free software,&rdquo;
239    &ldquo;copylefted software&rdquo; and other categories of software
240    relate to each other.
241  </p>  </p>
242    
243  <p>  <h4>Rules about packaging and distribution details</h4>
 Whether a change constitutes an improvement is a subjective matter.  
 If your modifications are limited, in substance, to changes that  
 someone else considers an improvement, that is not freedom.  
 </p>  
244    
245  <p>  <p>
246  However, rules about how to package a modified version are acceptable,  Rules about how to package a modified version are acceptable,
247  if they don't substantively limit your freedom to release modified  if they don't substantively limit your freedom to release modified
248  versions, or your freedom to make and use modified versions privately.  versions, or your freedom to make and use modified versions privately.
249  Thus, it is acceptable for the license to require that you change the  Thus, it is acceptable for the license to require that you change the
# Line 181  are also acceptable. Line 267  are also acceptable.
267  </p>  </p>
268    
269  <p>  <p>
270  In the GNU project, we use  A special issue arises when a license requires changing the name by
271  <a href="/copyleft/copyleft.html">copyleft</a>  which the program will be invoked from other programs.  That
272  to protect these freedoms legally for everyone.  But  effectively hampers you from releasing your changed version so that it
273  <a href="/philosophy/categories.html#Non-CopyleftedFreeSoftware">noncopylefted  can replace the original when invoked by those other programs.  This
274  free software</a> also exists.  We believe there are important reasons why  sort of requirement is acceptable only if there's a suitable aliasing
275  <a href="/philosophy/pragmatic.html">it is better to use copyleft</a>,  facility that allows you to specify the original program's name as an
276  but if your program is noncopylefted free software, it is still basically  alias for the modified version.</p>
277  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.)  
278  </p>  <h4>Export regulations</h4>
279    
280  <p>  <p>
281  Sometimes government <a id="exportcontrol">export control regulations</a>  Sometimes government <a id="exportcontrol">export control regulations</a>
# Line 199  eliminate or override these restrictions Line 285  eliminate or override these restrictions
285  is refuse to impose them as conditions of use of the program.  In this  is refuse to impose them as conditions of use of the program.  In this
286  way, the restrictions will not affect activities and people outside the  way, the restrictions will not affect activities and people outside the
287  jurisdictions of these governments.  Thus, free software licenses  jurisdictions of these governments.  Thus, free software licenses
288  must not require obedience to any export regulations as a condition of  must not require obedience to any nontrivial export regulations as a
289  any of the essential freedoms.  condition of exercising any of the essential freedoms.
290    </p>
291    
292    <p>
293    Merely mentioning the existence of export regulations, without making
294    them a condition of the license itself, is acceptable since it does
295    not restrict users.  If an export regulation is actually trivial for
296    free software, then requiring it as a condition is not an actual
297    problem; however, it is a potential problem, since a later change in
298    export law could make the requirement nontrivial and thus render the
299    software nonfree.
300    </p>
301    
302    <h4>Legal considerations</h4>
303    
304    <p>
305    In order for these freedoms to be real, they must be permanent and
306    irrevocable as long as you do nothing wrong; if the developer of the
307    software has the power to revoke the license, or retroactively add
308    restrictions to its terms, without your doing anything wrong to give
309    cause, the software is not free.
310    </p>
311    
312    <p>
313    A free license may not require compliance with the license of a
314    nonfree program.  Thus, for instance, if a license requires you to
315    comply with the licenses of &ldquo;all the programs you use&rdquo;, in
316    the case of a user that runs nonfree programs this would require
317    compliance with the licenses of those nonfree programs; that makes the
318    license nonfree.
319  </p>  </p>
320    
321  <p>  <p>
322    It is acceptable for a free license to specify which jurisdiction's
323    law applies, or where litigation must be done, or both.
324    </p>
325    
326    <h4>Contract-based licenses</h4>
327    
328    <p>
329  Most free software licenses are based on copyright, and there are limits  Most free software licenses are based on copyright, and there are limits
330  on what kinds of requirements can be imposed through copyright.  If a  on what kinds of requirements can be imposed through copyright.  If a
331  copyright-based license respects freedom in the ways described above, it  copyright-based license respects freedom in the ways described above, it
# Line 222  legitimate, we will have to think about Line 344  legitimate, we will have to think about
344  it is nonfree.  it is nonfree.
345  </p>  </p>
346    
347    <h4>Use the right words when talking about free software</h4>
348    
349  <p>  <p>
350  When talking about free software, it is best to avoid using terms  When talking about free software, it is best to avoid using terms
351  like &ldquo;give away&rdquo; or &ldquo;for free,&rdquo; because those terms imply that  like &ldquo;give away&rdquo; or &ldquo;for free,&rdquo; because those terms imply that
# Line 233  a list of proper <a href="/philosophy/fs Line 357  a list of proper <a href="/philosophy/fs
357  &ldquo;free software&rdquo;</a> into various languages.  &ldquo;free software&rdquo;</a> into various languages.
358  </p>  </p>
359    
360    <h4>How we interpret these criteria</h4>
361    
362  <p>  <p>
363  Finally, note that criteria such as those stated in this free software  Finally, note that criteria such as those stated in this free software
364  definition require careful thought for their interpretation.  To decide  definition require careful thought for their interpretation.  To decide
# Line 247  a conclusion about a new issue, we often Line 373  a conclusion about a new issue, we often
373  it easier to see why certain licenses do or don't qualify.  it easier to see why certain licenses do or don't qualify.
374  </p>  </p>
375    
376    <h4>Get help with free licenses</h4>
377    
378  <p>  <p>
379  If you are interested in whether a specific license qualifies as a free  If you are interested in whether a specific license qualifies as a free
380  software license, see our <a href="/licenses/license-list.html">list  software license, see our <a href="/licenses/license-list.html">list
# Line 269  help you can ensure that the license rea Line 397  help you can ensure that the license rea
397  and avoid various practical problems.  and avoid various practical problems.
398  </p>  </p>
399    
400  <h2 id="beyond-software">Beyond Software</h2>  <h3 id="beyond-software">Beyond Software</h3>
401    
402  <p>  <p>
403  <a href="/philosophy/free-doc.html">Software manuals must be free</a>,  <a href="/philosophy/free-doc.html">Software manuals must be free</a>,
# Line 281  manuals are in effect part of the softwa Line 409  manuals are in effect part of the softwa
409  The same arguments also make sense for other kinds of works of  The same arguments also make sense for other kinds of works of
410  practical use &mdash; that is to say, works that embody useful knowledge,  practical use &mdash; that is to say, works that embody useful knowledge,
411  such as educational works and reference  such as educational works and reference
412  works.  <a href="http://wikipedia.org">Wikipedia</a> is the best known  works.  <a href="http://wikipedia.org">Wikipedia</a> is the best-known
413  example.  example.
414  </p>  </p>
415    
# Line 291  has been extended to a definition of <a Line 419  has been extended to a definition of <a
419  free cultural works</a> applicable to any kind of works.  free cultural works</a> applicable to any kind of works.
420  </p>  </p>
421    
422  <h2 id="open-source">Open Source?</h2>  <h3 id="open-source">Open Source?</h3>
423    
424  <p>  <p>
425  Another group has started using the term &ldquo;open source&rdquo; to mean  Another group uses the term &ldquo;open source&rdquo; to mean
426  something close (but not identical) to &ldquo;free software.&rdquo;  We  something close (but not identical) to &ldquo;free software&rdquo;.  We
427  prefer the term &ldquo;free software&rdquo; because, once you have heard that  prefer the term &ldquo;free software&rdquo; because, once you have heard that
428  it refers to freedom rather than price, it calls to mind freedom.  The  it refers to freedom rather than price, it calls to mind freedom.  The
429  word &ldquo;open&rdquo; <a href="/philosophy/open-source-misses-the-point.html">  word &ldquo;open&rdquo; <a href="/philosophy/open-source-misses-the-point.html">
430  never refers to freedom</a>.  never refers to freedom</a>.
431  </p>  </p>
432    </div>
433    
434  <h2 id="History">History</h2>  <h3 id="History">History</h3>
435    
436  <p>From time to time we revise this Free Software Definition to  <p>From time to time we revise this Free Software Definition.  Here is
437  clarify it.  Here we provide a list of those modifications, along with  the list of substantive changes, along with links to show exactly what
438  links to illustrate exactly what changed, so that others can review  was changed.</p>
 them if they like.</p>  
439    
440  <ul>  <ul>
441    
442    <li><a href="http://web.cvs.savannah.gnu.org/viewvc/www/philosophy/free-sw.html?root=www&amp;r1=1.152&amp;r2=1.153">Version
443    1.153</a>: Clarify that freedom to run the program means nothing stops
444    you from making it run.</li>
445    
446    <li><a href="http://web.cvs.savannah.gnu.org/viewvc/www/philosophy/free-sw.html?root=www&amp;r1=1.140&amp;r2=1.141">Version
447    1.141</a>: Clarify which code needs to be free.</li>
448    
449    <li><a href="http://web.cvs.savannah.gnu.org/viewvc/www/philosophy/free-sw.html?root=www&amp;r1=1.134&amp;r2=1.135">Version
450    1.135</a>: Say each time that freedom 0 is the freedom to run the program
451    as you wish.</li>
452    
453    <li><a href="http://web.cvs.savannah.gnu.org/viewvc/www/philosophy/free-sw.html?root=www&amp;r1=1.133&amp;r2=1.134">Version
454    1.134</a>: Freedom 0 is not a matter of the program's functionality.</li>
455    
456    <li><a href="http://web.cvs.savannah.gnu.org/viewvc/www/philosophy/free-sw.html?root=www&amp;r1=1.130&amp;r2=1.131">Version
457    1.131</a>: A free license may not require compliance with a nonfree license
458    of another program.</li>
459    
460    <li><a href="http://web.cvs.savannah.gnu.org/viewvc/www/philosophy/free-sw.html?root=www&amp;r1=1.128&amp;r2=1.129">Version
461    1.129</a>: State explicitly that choice of law and choice of forum
462    specifications are allowed.  (This was always our policy.)</li>
463    
464    <li><a href="http://web.cvs.savannah.gnu.org/viewvc/www/philosophy/free-sw.html?root=www&amp;r1=1.121&amp;r2=1.122">Version
465    1.122</a>: An export control requirement is a real problem if the
466    requirement is nontrivial; otherwise it is only a potential problem.</li>
467    
468    <li><a href="http://web.cvs.savannah.gnu.org/viewvc/www/philosophy/free-sw.html?root=www&amp;r1=1.117&amp;r2=1.118">Version
469    1.118</a>: Clarification: the issue is limits on your right to modify,
470    not on what modifications you have made.  And modifications are not limited
471    to &ldquo;improvements&rdquo;</li>
472    
473    <li><a href="http://web.cvs.savannah.gnu.org/viewvc/www/philosophy/free-sw.html?root=www&amp;r1=1.110&amp;r2=1.111">Version
474    1.111</a>: Clarify 1.77 by saying that only
475    retroactive <em>restrictions</em> are unacceptable.  The copyright
476    holders can always grant additional <em>permission</em> for use of the
477    work by releasing the work in another way in parallel.</li>
478    
479    <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
480    1.105</a>: Reflect, in the brief statement of freedom 1, the point
481    (already stated in version 1.80) that it includes really using your modified
482    version for your computing.</li>
483    
484  <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  <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
485  1.92</a>: Clarify that obfuscated code does not qualify as source code.</li>  1.92</a>: Clarify that obfuscated code does not qualify as source code.</li>
486    
# Line 379  licenses.</li> Line 549  licenses.</li>
549    
550  <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  <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
551  1.11</a>: Note that a free license may require you to send a copy of  1.11</a>: Note that a free license may require you to send a copy of
552  versions you distribute to the author.</li>  versions you distribute to previous developers on request.</li>
553    
554  </ul>  </ul>
555    
556  <p>There are gaps in the version numbers because there are many other  <p>There are gaps in the version numbers shown above because there are
557  changes that do not affect the substance of the definition at all.  other changes in this page that do not affect the definition or its
558  Instead, they fix links, add translations, and so on.  If you would  interpretations.  For instance, the list does not include changes in
559  like to review the complete list of changes, you can do so on  asides, formatting, spelling, punctuation, or other parts of the page.
560  our <a href="http://web.cvs.savannah.gnu.org/viewvc/www/philosophy/free-sw.html?root=www&amp;view=log">cvsweb  You can review the complete list of changes to the page through
561    the <a href="http://web.cvs.savannah.gnu.org/viewvc/www/philosophy/free-sw.html?root=www&amp;view=log">cvsweb
562  interface</a>.</p>  interface</a>.</p>
563    
564  </div>  <h3 style="font-size:1em">Footnote</h3>
565    <ol>
566    <li id="f1">The reason they are numbered 0, 1, 2 and 3 is historical. Around
567    1990 there were three freedoms, numbered 1, 2 and 3. Then we realized that
568    the freedom to run the program needed to be mentioned explicitly.
569    It was clearly more basic than the other three, so it properly should
570    precede them. Rather than renumber the others, we made it freedom&nbsp;0.</li>
571    </ol>
572    
573    </div><!-- for id="content", starts in the include above -->
574  <!--#include virtual="/server/footer.html" -->  <!--#include virtual="/server/footer.html" -->
   
575  <div id="footer">  <div id="footer">
576    <div class="unprintable">
577    
578  <p>  <p>Please send general FSF &amp; GNU inquiries to
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579  <a href="mailto:gnu@gnu.org">&lt;gnu@gnu.org&gt;</a>.  <a href="mailto:gnu@gnu.org">&lt;gnu@gnu.org&gt;</a>.
580  There are also <a href="/contact/">other ways to contact</a>  There are also <a href="/contact/">other ways to contact</a>
581  the FSF.  the FSF.  Broken links and other corrections or suggestions can be sent
582  <br />  to <a href="mailto:webmasters@gnu.org">&lt;webmasters@gnu.org&gt;</a>.</p>
583  Please send broken links and other corrections or suggestions to  
584  <a href="mailto:webmasters@gnu.org">&lt;webmasters@gnu.org&gt;</a>.  <p><!-- TRANSLATORS: Ignore the original text in this paragraph,
585  </p>          replace it with the translation of these two:
586    
587            We work hard and do our best to provide accurate, good quality
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589            Please send your comments and general suggestions in this regard
590            to <a href="mailto:web-translators@gnu.org">
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592    
593            <p>For information on coordinating and submitting translations of
594            our web pages, see <a
595            href="/server/standards/README.translations.html">Translations
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597    Please see the <a
598    href="/server/standards/README.translations.html">Translations
599    README</a> for information on coordinating and submitting translations
600    of this article.</p>
601    </div>
602    
603  <p>  <!-- Regarding copyright, in general, standalone pages (as opposed to
604  Please see the       files generated as part of manuals) on the GNU web server should
605  <a href="/server/standards/README.translations.html">Translations       be under CC BY-ND 4.0.  Please do NOT change or remove this
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607  translations of this article.       Please make sure the copyright date is consistent with the
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610        
611         If you wish to list earlier years, that is ok too.
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613         years, as long as each year in the range is in fact a copyrightable
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615         being publicly visible on the web or in a revision control system).
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619    
620    <p>Copyright &copy; 1996, 2002, 2004-2007, 2009-2018
621    Free Software Foundation, Inc.</p>
622    
623    <p>This page is licensed under a <a rel="license"
624    href="http://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-nd/4.0/">Creative
625    Commons Attribution-NoDerivatives 4.0 International License</a>.</p>
626    
627  <p>  <!--#include virtual="/server/bottom-notes.html" -->
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628    
629  <p>  <p class="unprintable">Updated:
 Updated:  
630  <!-- timestamp start -->  <!-- timestamp start -->
631  $Date$  $Date$
632  <!-- timestamp end -->  <!-- timestamp end -->
633  </p>  </p>
634  </div>  </div>
635    </div><!-- for class="inner", starts in the banner include -->
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