1 |
<!--#include virtual="/server/header.html" --> |
<!--#include virtual="/server/header.html" --> |
2 |
|
|
3 |
<title>The Free Software Definition - GNU Project - Free Software Foundation (FSF)</title> |
<title>What is free software? - GNU Project - Free Software Foundation (FSF)</title> |
4 |
|
|
5 |
<meta http-equiv="Keywords" content="GNU, FSF, Free Software Foundation, Linux, Emacs, GCC, Unix, Free Software, Operating System, GNU Kernel, HURD, GNU HURD, Hurd" /> |
<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." /> |
<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." /> |
8 |
<link rel="alternate" title="New Free Software" href="http://www.gnu.org/rss/quagga.rss" type="application/rss+xml" /> |
<link rel="alternate" title="New Free Software" href="http://www.gnu.org/rss/quagga.rss" type="application/rss+xml" /> |
9 |
|
|
10 |
<!--#include virtual="/server/banner.html" --> |
<!--#include virtual="/server/banner.html" --> |
11 |
|
<!--#include virtual="/philosophy/po/free-sw.translist" --> |
12 |
|
|
13 |
<h2>The Free Software Definition</h2> |
<h2>What is free software?</h2> |
14 |
|
|
15 |
|
<h3>The Free Software Definition</h3> |
16 |
|
|
17 |
<p> |
<p> |
18 |
We maintain this free software definition to show clearly what must be |
We maintain this free software definition to show clearly what must be |
25 |
<p> |
<p> |
26 |
“Free software” is a matter of liberty, not price. To understand |
“Free software” is a matter of liberty, not price. To understand |
27 |
the concept, you should think of “free” as in “free speech,” |
the concept, you should think of “free” as in “free speech,” |
28 |
not as in “free beer.” |
not as in “free beer”. |
29 |
</p> |
</p> |
30 |
|
|
31 |
<p> |
<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 change it to make |
<li>The freedom to study how the program works, and change it so it |
40 |
it do what you wish (freedom 1). Access to the source code is a |
does your computing as you wish (freedom 1). Access to the source |
41 |
precondition for this. |
code is a precondition for this. |
42 |
</li> |
</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). |
(freedom 2). |
100 |
<p> |
<p> |
101 |
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 |
102 |
the original. If the program is delivered in a product designed to |
the original. If the program is delivered in a product designed to |
103 |
run someone else's modified versions but refuse to run yours — |
run someone else's modified versions but refuse to run yours — a |
104 |
a practice known as “tivoization” or (in its practitioners' |
practice known as “tivoization” or “lockdown”, |
105 |
perverse terminology) as “secure boot” — freedom 1 becomes a |
or (in its practitioners' perverse terminology) as “secure |
106 |
theoretical fiction rather than a practical freedom. This is not |
boot” — freedom 1 becomes a theoretical fiction rather |
107 |
sufficient. In other words, these binaries are not free software |
than a practical freedom. This is not sufficient. In other words, |
108 |
even if the source code they are compiled from is free. |
these binaries are not free software even if the source code they are |
109 |
|
compiled from is free. |
110 |
</p> |
</p> |
111 |
|
|
112 |
<p> |
<p> |
144 |
</p> |
</p> |
145 |
|
|
146 |
<p> |
<p> |
147 |
“Free software” does not mean “noncommercial.” A free |
“Free software” does not mean “noncommercial”. A free |
148 |
program must be available for commercial use, commercial development, |
program must be available for commercial use, commercial development, |
149 |
and commercial distribution. Commercial development of free software |
and commercial distribution. Commercial development of free software |
150 |
is no longer unusual; such free commercial software is very important. |
is no longer unusual; such free commercial software is very important. |
285 |
The same arguments also make sense for other kinds of works of |
The same arguments also make sense for other kinds of works of |
286 |
practical use — that is to say, works that embody useful knowledge, |
practical use — that is to say, works that embody useful knowledge, |
287 |
such as educational works and reference |
such as educational works and reference |
288 |
works. <a href="http://wikipedia.org">Wikipedia</a> is the best known |
works. <a href="http://wikipedia.org">Wikipedia</a> is the best-known |
289 |
example. |
example. |
290 |
</p> |
</p> |
291 |
|
|
299 |
|
|
300 |
<p> |
<p> |
301 |
Another group has started using the term “open source” to mean |
Another group has started using the term “open source” to mean |
302 |
something close (but not identical) to “free software.” We |
something close (but not identical) to “free software”. We |
303 |
prefer the term “free software” because, once you have heard that |
prefer the term “free software” because, once you have heard that |
304 |
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 |
305 |
word “open” <a href="/philosophy/open-source-misses-the-point.html"> |
word “open” <a href="/philosophy/open-source-misses-the-point.html"> |
315 |
|
|
316 |
<ul> |
<ul> |
317 |
|
|
318 |
|
<li><a href="http://web.cvs.savannah.gnu.org/viewvc/www/philosophy/free-sw.html?root=www&r1=1.104&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&r1=1.91&r2=1.92">Version |
<li><a href="http://web.cvs.savannah.gnu.org/viewvc/www/philosophy/free-sw.html?root=www&r1=1.91&r2=1.92">Version |
324 |
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> |
325 |
|
|
426 |
Copyright © 1996, 1997, 1998, 1999, 2000, 2001, 2002, 2004, |
Copyright © 1996, 1997, 1998, 1999, 2000, 2001, 2002, 2004, |
427 |
2005, 2006, 2007, 2009, 2010 Free Software Foundation, Inc. |
2005, 2006, 2007, 2009, 2010 Free Software Foundation, Inc. |
428 |
</p> |
</p> |
429 |
<p>Verbatim copying and distribution of this entire article is |
<p>This page is licensed under a <a rel="license" |
430 |
permitted in any medium without royalty provided this notice is |
href="http://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-nd/3.0/us/">Creative |
431 |
preserved. |
Commons Attribution-NoDerivs 3.0 United States License</a>. |
432 |
</p> |
</p> |
433 |
|
|
434 |
<p> |
<p> |
439 |
</p> |
</p> |
440 |
</div> |
</div> |
441 |
|
|
442 |
<div id="translations"> |
<!-- <div id="translations"> --> |
443 |
<h4>Translations of this page</h4> |
<!-- <h4>Translations of this page</h4> --> |
444 |
|
<!-- --> |
445 |
<!-- Please keep this list alphabetical by language code. |
<!-- Please keep this list alphabetical by language code. --> |
446 |
Comment what the language is for each type, i.e. de is German. |
<!-- 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. |
<!-- Write the language name in its own language (Deutsch) in the text. --> |
448 |
If you add a new language here, please |
<!-- If you add a new language here, please --> |
449 |
advise web-translators@gnu.org and add it to |
<!-- advise web-translators@gnu.org and add it to --> |
450 |
- /home/www/html/server/standards/README.translations.html |
<!-- - /home/www/html/server/standards/README.translations.html --> |
451 |
- one of the lists under the section "Translations Underway" |
<!-- - one of the lists under the section "Translations Underway" --> |
452 |
- if there is a translation team, you also have to add an alias |
<!-- - if there is a translation team, you also have to add an alias --> |
453 |
to mail.gnu.org:/com/mailer/aliases |
<!-- to mail.gnu.org:/com/mailer/aliases --> |
454 |
Please also check you have the language code right; see: |
<!-- Please also check you have the language code right; see: --> |
455 |
http://www.loc.gov/standards/iso639-2/php/code_list.php |
<!-- http://www.loc.gov/standards/iso639-2/php/code_list.php --> |
456 |
If the 2-letter ISO 639-1 code is not available, |
<!-- If the 2-letter ISO 639-1 code is not available, --> |
457 |
use the 3-letter ISO 639-2. |
<!-- use the 3-letter ISO 639-2. --> |
458 |
Please use W3C normative character entities. --> |
<!-- Please use W3C normative character entities. --> |
459 |
|
<!-- --> |
460 |
<ul class="translations-list"> |
<!-- <ul class="translations-list"> --> |
461 |
<!-- Afrikaans --> |
<!-- Afrikaans --> |
462 |
<li><a href="/philosophy/free-sw.af.html">Afrikaans</a> [af]</li> |
<!-- <li><a href="/philosophy/free-sw.af.html">Afrikaans</a> [af]</li> --> |
463 |
<!-- Arabic --> |
<!-- Arabic --> |
464 |
<li><a href="/philosophy/free-sw.ar.html">العربية</a> [ar]</li> |
<!-- <li><a href="/philosophy/free-sw.ar.html">العربية</a> [ar]</li> --> |
465 |
<!-- Azerbaijani --> |
<!-- Azerbaijani --> |
466 |
<li><a href="/philosophy/free-sw.az.html">Azərbaycanca</a> [az]</li> |
<!-- <li><a href="/philosophy/free-sw.az.html">Azərbaycanca</a> [az]</li> --> |
467 |
<!-- Bulgarian --> |
<!-- Bulgarian --> |
468 |
<li><a href="/philosophy/free-sw.bg.html">български</a> [bg]</li> |
<!-- <li><a href="/philosophy/free-sw.bg.html">български</a> [bg]</li> --> |
469 |
<!-- Bengali --> |
<!-- Bengali --> |
470 |
<li><a href="/philosophy/free-sw.bn.html">বাংলা</a> [bn]</li> |
<!-- <li><a href="/philosophy/free-sw.bn.html">বাংলা</a> [bn]</li> --> |
471 |
<!-- Bosnian --> |
<!-- Bosnian --> |
472 |
<li><a href="/philosophy/free-sw.bs.html">bosanski</a> [bs]</li> |
<!-- <li><a href="/philosophy/free-sw.bs.html">bosanski</a> [bs]</li> --> |
473 |
<!-- Catalan --> |
<!-- Catalan --> |
474 |
<li><a href="/philosophy/free-sw.ca.html">català</a> [ca]</li> |
<!-- <li><a href="/philosophy/free-sw.ca.html">català</a> [ca]</li> --> |
475 |
<!-- Czech --> |
<!-- Czech --> |
476 |
<li><a href="/philosophy/free-sw.cs.html">Česky</a> [cs]</li> |
<!-- <li><a href="/philosophy/free-sw.cs.html">Česky</a> [cs]</li> --> |
477 |
<!-- Danish --> |
<!-- Danish --> |
478 |
<li><a href="/philosophy/free-sw.da.html">dansk</a> [da]</li> |
<!-- <li><a href="/philosophy/free-sw.da.html">dansk</a> [da]</li> --> |
479 |
<!-- German --> |
<!-- German --> |
480 |
<li><a href="/philosophy/free-sw.de.html">Deutsch</a> [de]</li> |
<!-- <li><a href="/philosophy/free-sw.de.html">Deutsch</a> [de]</li> --> |
481 |
<!-- Greek --> |
<!-- Greek --> |
482 |
<li><a href="/philosophy/free-sw.el.html">ελληνικά</a> [el]</li> |
<!-- <li><a href="/philosophy/free-sw.el.html">ελληνικά</a> [el]</li> --> |
483 |
<!-- English --> |
<!-- English --> |
484 |
<li><a href="/philosophy/free-sw.html">English</a> [en]</li> |
<!-- <li><a href="/philosophy/free-sw.html">English</a> [en]</li> --> |
485 |
<!-- Esperanto --> |
<!-- Esperanto --> |
486 |
<li><a href="/philosophy/free-sw.eo.html">Esperanto</a> [eo]</li> |
<!-- <li><a href="/philosophy/free-sw.eo.html">Esperanto</a> [eo]</li> --> |
487 |
<!-- Spanish --> |
<!-- Spanish --> |
488 |
<li><a href="/philosophy/free-sw.es.html">español</a> [es]</li> |
<!-- <li><a href="/philosophy/free-sw.es.html">español</a> [es]</li> --> |
489 |
<!-- Farsi (Persian) --> |
<!-- Farsi (Persian) --> |
490 |
<li><a href="/philosophy/free-sw.fa.html">فارسی</a> [fa]</li> |
<!-- <li><a href="/philosophy/free-sw.fa.html">فارسی</a> [fa]</li> --> |
491 |
<!-- French --> |
<!-- French --> |
492 |
<li><a href="/philosophy/free-sw.fr.html">français</a> [fr]</li> |
<!-- <li><a href="/philosophy/free-sw.fr.html">français</a> [fr]</li> --> |
493 |
<!-- Galician --> |
<!-- Galician --> |
494 |
<li><a href="/philosophy/free-sw.gl.html">galego</a> [gl]</li> |
<!-- <li><a href="/philosophy/free-sw.gl.html">galego</a> [gl]</li> --> |
495 |
<!-- Hebrew --> |
<!-- Hebrew --> |
496 |
<li><a href="/philosophy/free-sw.he.html">עברית</a> [he]</li> |
<!-- <li><a href="/philosophy/free-sw.he.html">עברית</a> [he]</li> --> |
497 |
<!-- Croatian --> |
<!-- Croatian --> |
498 |
<li><a href="/philosophy/free-sw.hr.html">hrvatski</a> [hr]</li> |
<!-- <li><a href="/philosophy/free-sw.hr.html">hrvatski</a> [hr]</li> --> |
499 |
<!-- Hungarian --> |
<!-- Hungarian --> |
500 |
<li><a href="/philosophy/free-sw.hu.html">magyar</a> [hu]</li> |
<!-- <li><a href="/philosophy/free-sw.hu.html">magyar</a> [hu]</li> --> |
501 |
<!-- Indonesian --> |
<!-- Indonesian --> |
502 |
<li><a href="/philosophy/free-sw.id.html">Bahasa Indonesia</a> [id]</li> |
<!-- <li><a href="/philosophy/free-sw.id.html">Bahasa Indonesia</a> [id]</li> --> |
503 |
<!-- Italian --> |
<!-- Italian --> |
504 |
<li><a href="/philosophy/free-sw.it.html">italiano</a> [it]</li> |
<!-- <li><a href="/philosophy/free-sw.it.html">italiano</a> [it]</li> --> |
505 |
<!-- Japanese --> |
<!-- Japanese --> |
506 |
<li><a href="/philosophy/free-sw.ja.html">日本語</a> [ja]</li> |
<!-- <li><a href="/philosophy/free-sw.ja.html">日本語</a> [ja]</li> --> |
507 |
<!-- Korean --> |
<!-- Korean --> |
508 |
<li><a href="/philosophy/free-sw.ko.html">한국어</a> [ko]</li> |
<!-- <li><a href="/philosophy/free-sw.ko.html">한국어</a> [ko]</li> --> |
509 |
<!-- Norwegian Bokmål --> |
<!-- Norwegian Bokmål --> |
510 |
<li><a href="/philosophy/free-sw.nb.html">norsk (bokmål)</a> [nb]</li> |
<!-- <li><a href="/philosophy/free-sw.nb.html">norsk (bokmål)</a> [nb]</li> --> |
511 |
<!-- Dutch --> |
<!-- Dutch --> |
512 |
<li><a href="/philosophy/free-sw.nl.html">Nederlands</a> [nl]</li> |
<!-- <li><a href="/philosophy/free-sw.nl.html">Nederlands</a> [nl]</li> --> |
513 |
<!-- Polish --> |
<!-- Polish --> |
514 |
<li><a href="/philosophy/free-sw.pl.html">polski</a> [pl]</li> |
<!-- <li><a href="/philosophy/free-sw.pl.html">polski</a> [pl]</li> --> |
515 |
<!-- Brazilian Portuguese --> |
<!-- Brazilian Portuguese --> |
516 |
<li><a href="/philosophy/free-sw.pt-br.html">português do Brasil</a> [pt-br]</li> |
<!-- <li><a href="/philosophy/free-sw.pt-br.html">português do Brasil</a> [pt-br]</li> --> |
517 |
<!-- Romanian --> |
<!-- Romanian --> |
518 |
<li><a href="/philosophy/free-sw.ro.html">română</a> [ro]</li> |
<!-- <li><a href="/philosophy/free-sw.ro.html">română</a> [ro]</li> --> |
519 |
<!-- Russian --> |
<!-- Russian --> |
520 |
<li><a href="/philosophy/free-sw.ru.html">русский</a> [ru]</li> |
<!-- <li><a href="/philosophy/free-sw.ru.html">русский</a> [ru]</li> --> |
521 |
<!-- Slovak --> |
<!-- Slovak --> |
522 |
<li><a href="/philosophy/free-sw.sk.html">slovenčina</a> [sk]</li> |
<!-- <li><a href="/philosophy/free-sw.sk.html">slovenčina</a> [sk]</li> --> |
523 |
<!--- Slovenian --> |
<!-- - Slovenian --> |
524 |
<li><a href="/philosophy/free-sw.sl.html">slovenščina</a> [sl]</li> |
<!-- <li><a href="/philosophy/free-sw.sl.html">slovenščina</a> [sl]</li> --> |
525 |
<!-- Serbian --> |
<!-- Serbian --> |
526 |
<li><a href="/philosophy/free-sw.sr.html">српски</a> [sr]</li> |
<!-- <li><a href="/philosophy/free-sw.sr.html">српски</a> [sr]</li> --> |
527 |
<!-- Swedish --> |
<!-- Swedish --> |
528 |
<li><a href="/philosophy/free-sw.sv.html">svenska</a> [sv]</li> |
<!-- <li><a href="/philosophy/free-sw.sv.html">svenska</a> [sv]</li> --> |
529 |
<!-- Tamil --> |
<!-- Tamil --> |
530 |
<li><a href="/philosophy/free-sw.ta.html">தமிழ்</a> [ta]</li> |
<!-- <li><a href="/philosophy/free-sw.ta.html">தமிழ்</a> [ta]</li> --> |
531 |
<!-- Tagalog --> |
<!-- Tagalog --> |
532 |
<li><a href="/philosophy/free-sw.tl.html">Tagalog</a> [tl]</li> |
<!-- <li><a href="/philosophy/free-sw.tl.html">Tagalog</a> [tl]</li> --> |
533 |
<!-- Turkish --> |
<!-- Turkish --> |
534 |
<li><a href="/philosophy/free-sw.tr.html">Türkçe</a> [tr]</li> |
<!-- <li><a href="/philosophy/free-sw.tr.html">Türkçe</a> [tr]</li> --> |
535 |
<!-- Chinese (Simplified) --> |
<!-- Chinese (Simplified) --> |
536 |
<li><a href="/philosophy/free-sw.zh-cn.html">简体中文</a> [zh-cn]</li> |
<!-- <li><a href="/philosophy/free-sw.zh-cn.html">简体中文</a> [zh-cn]</li> --> |
537 |
<!-- Chinese (Traditional) --> |
<!-- Chinese (Traditional) --> |
538 |
<li><a href="/philosophy/free-sw.zh-tw.html">繁體中文</a> [zh-tw]</li> |
<!-- <li><a href="/philosophy/free-sw.zh-tw.html">繁體中文</a> [zh-tw]</li> --> |
539 |
</ul> |
<!-- </ul> --> |
540 |
</div> |
<!-- </div> --> |
541 |
|
|
542 |
</div> |
</div> |
543 |
|
|