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3  <title>The Free Software Definition - GNU Project - Free Software Foundation (FSF)</title>  <title>The Free Software Definition - GNU Project - Free Software Foundation (FSF)</title>
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11    
12  <p><a href="#translations">Translations</a> of this page</p>  <h2>The Free Software Definition</h2>
13    
 <h3>The Free Software Definition</h3>  
14  <p>  <p>
15  <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
16    true about a particular software program for it to be considered free
17    software.  From time to time we revise this definition to clarify it.
18    If you would like to review the changes we've made, please see
19    the <a href="#History">History section</a> below for more information.
20  </p>  </p>
21    
22  <p>  <p>
23  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
24  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;
25  free software.</p>  not as in &ldquo;free beer.&rdquo;
26    </p>
27    
28  <p>  <p>
29  ``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,
30  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
31  ``free beer.''</p>  program's users have the four essential freedoms:
32  <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>  
33    
34  <ul>  <ul>
35    <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>
36    <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 to make
37        (freedom 1).   Access to the source code is a precondition for this.</li>        it do what you wish (freedom 1). Access to the source code is a
38          precondition for this.
39      </li>
40    <li>The freedom to redistribute copies so you can help your neighbor    <li>The freedom to redistribute copies so you can help your neighbor
41        (freedom 2).</li>        (freedom 2).
42    <li>The freedom to improve the program, and release your improvements    </li>
43       to the public, so that the whole community benefits    <li>The freedom to distribute copies of your modified versions
44        (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
45          community a chance to benefit from your changes.
46          Access to the source code is a precondition for this.
47      </li>
48  </ul>  </ul>
49    
50  <p>  <p>
51  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,
52  Thus, you should be free to redistribute copies, either with or  you should be free to redistribute copies, either with or without
53  without modifications, either gratis or charging a fee for  modifications, either gratis or charging a fee for distribution, to
54  distribution, to <a href="#exportcontrol">anyone anywhere</a>.  Being  <a href="#exportcontrol">anyone anywhere</a>.  Being free to do these
55  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
56  have to ask or pay for permission.</p>  for permission to do so.
57    </p>
58    
59  <p>  <p>
60  You should also have the freedom to make modifications and use them  You should also have the freedom to make modifications and use them
61  privately in your own work or play, without even mentioning that they  privately in your own work or play, without even mentioning that they
62  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
63  notify anyone in particular, or in any particular way.</p>  notify anyone in particular, or in any particular way.
64    </p>
65    
66  <p>  <p>
67  The freedom to run the program means the freedom for any kind of  The freedom to run the program means the freedom for any kind of person
68  person or organization to use it on any kind of computer system, for  or organization to use it on any kind of computer system, for any kind of
69  any kind of overall job and purpose, without being required to  overall job and purpose, without being required to communicate about it
70  communicate about it with the developer or any other specific entity.  with the developer or any other specific entity.  In this freedom, it is
71  In this freedom, it is the <em>user's</em> purpose that matters, not  the <em>user's</em> purpose that matters, not the <em>developer's</em>
72  the <em>developer's</em> purpose; you as a user are free to run a  purpose; you as a user are free to run the program for your purposes,
73  program for your purposes, and if you distribute it to someone else,  and if you distribute it to someone else, she is then free to run it
74  she is then free to run it for her purposes, but you are not entitled  for her purposes, but you are not entitled to impose your purposes on her.
 to impose your purposes on her.  
75  </p>  </p>
76    
77  <p>  <p>
78  The freedom to redistribute copies must include binary or executable  The freedom to redistribute copies must include binary or executable
79  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
80  unmodified versions.  (Distributing programs in runnable form is  unmodified versions.  (Distributing programs in runnable form is necessary
81  necessary for conveniently installable free operating systems.)  It is  for conveniently installable free operating systems.)  It is OK if there
82  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
83  certain program (since some languages don't support that feature), but  (since some languages don't support that feature), but you must have the
84  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
85  or develop a way to make them.</p>  make them.
86  <p>  </p>
87  In order for the freedoms to make changes, and to publish improved  
88  versions, to be meaningful, you must have access to the source code of  <p>
89  the program.  Therefore, accessibility of source code is a necessary  In order for freedoms 1 and 3 (the freedom to make changes and the
90  condition for free software.</p>  freedom to publish improved versions) to be meaningful, you must have
91    access to the source code of the program.  Therefore, accessibility of
92    source code is a necessary condition for free software.  Obfuscated
93    &ldquo;source code&rdquo; is not real source code and does not count
94    as source code.
95    </p>
96    
97    <p>
98    Freedom 1 includes the freedom to use your changed version in place of
99    the original.  If the program is delivered in a product designed to
100    run someone else's modified versions but refuse to run yours &mdash;
101    a practice known as &ldquo;tivoization&rdquo; or (in its practitioners'
102    perverse terminology) as &ldquo;secure boot&rdquo; &mdash; freedom 1 becomes a
103    theoretical fiction rather than a practical freedom.  This is not
104    sufficient.  In other words, these binaries are not free software
105    even if the source code they are compiled from is free.
106    </p>
107    
108  <p>  <p>
109  One important way to modify a program is by merging in available free  One important way to modify a program is by merging in available free
110  subroutines and modules.  If the program's license says that you  subroutines and modules.  If the program's license says that you
111  cannot merge in an existing module, such as if it requires you to be  cannot merge in a suitably licensed existing module &mdash; for instance, if it
112  the copyright holder of any code you add, then the license is too  requires you to be the copyright holder of any code you add &mdash; then the
113  restrictive to qualify as free.</p>  license is too restrictive to qualify as free.
114  <p>  </p>
115  In order for these freedoms to be real, they must be irrevocable as  
116  long as you do nothing wrong; if the developer of the software has the  <p>
117  power to revoke the license, without your doing anything to give  Freedom 3 includes the freedom to release your modified versions
118  cause, the software is not free.</p>  as free software.  A free license may also permit other ways of
119    releasing them; in other words, it does not have to be
120    a <a href="/copyleft/copyleft.html">copyleft</a> license.  However, a
121    license that requires modified versions to be nonfree does not qualify
122    as a free license.
123    </p>
124    
125    <p>
126    In order for these freedoms to be real, they must be permanent and
127    irrevocable as long as you do nothing wrong; if the developer of the
128    software has the power to revoke the license, or retroactively change
129    its terms, without your doing anything wrong to give cause, the
130    software is not free.
131    </p>
132    
133  <p>  <p>
134  However, certain kinds of rules about the manner of distributing free  However, certain kinds of rules about the manner of distributing free
135  software are acceptable, when they don't conflict with the central  software are acceptable, when they don't conflict with the central
136  freedoms.  For example, copyleft (very simply stated) is the rule that  freedoms.  For example, copyleft (very simply stated) is the rule that
137  when redistributing the program, you cannot add restrictions to deny  when redistributing the program, you cannot add restrictions to deny
138  other people the central freedoms.  This rule does not conflict with  other people the central freedoms.  This rule does not conflict with
139  the central freedoms; rather it protects them.</p>  the central freedoms; rather it protects them.
140    </p>
141    
142    <p>
143    &ldquo;Free software&rdquo; does not mean &ldquo;noncommercial.&rdquo;  A free
144    program must be available for commercial use, commercial development,
145    and commercial distribution.  Commercial development of free software
146    is no longer unusual; such free commercial software is very important.
147    You may have paid money to get copies of free software, or you may have
148    obtained copies at no charge.  But regardless of how you got your copies,
149    you always have the freedom to copy and change the software, even to
150    <a href="/philosophy/selling.html">sell copies</a>.
151    </p>
152    
153    <p>
154    Whether a change constitutes an improvement is a subjective matter.
155    If your modifications are limited, in substance, to changes that
156    someone else considers an improvement, that is not freedom.
157    </p>
158    
159  <p>  <p>
160  You may have paid money to get copies of free software, or you  However, rules about how to package a modified version are acceptable,
161  may have obtained copies at no charge.  But regardless of how you got  if they don't substantively limit your freedom to release modified
162  your copies, you always have the freedom to copy and change the  versions, or your freedom to make and use modified versions privately.
163  software, even to <a href="/philosophy/selling.html">sell copies</a>.</p>  Thus, it is acceptable for the license to require that you change the
164  <p>  name of the modified version, remove a logo, or identify your
165  ``Free software'' does not mean ``non-commercial''.  A free program  modifications as yours.  As long as these requirements are not so
166  must be available for commercial use, commercial development, and  burdensome that they effectively hamper you from releasing your
167  commercial distribution.  Commercial development of free software is  changes, they are acceptable; you're already making other changes to
168  no longer unusual; such free commercial software is very important.</p>  the program, so you won't have trouble making a few more.
169  <p>  </p>
170  Rules about how to package a modified version are acceptable, if they  
171  don't substantively block your freedom to release modified versions,  <p>
172  or your freedom to make and use modified versions privately.  Rules  Rules that &ldquo;if you make your version available in this way, you
173  that ``if you make your version available in this way, you must make  must make it available in that way also&rdquo; can be acceptable too,
174  it available in that way also'' can be acceptable too, on the same  on the same condition.  An example of such an acceptable rule is one
175  condition.  (Note that such a rule still leaves you the choice of  saying that if you have distributed a
176  whether to publish your version at all.)  Rules that require release  modified version and a previous developer asks for a copy of it, you
177    must send one.  (Note that such a rule still leaves you the choice of
178    whether to distribute your version at all.)  Rules that require release
179  of source code to the users for versions that you put into public use  of source code to the users for versions that you put into public use
180  are also acceptable.  It is also acceptable for the license to require  are also acceptable.
181  that, if you have distributed a modified version and a previous  </p>
182  developer asks for a copy of it, you must send one, or that you  
183  identify yourself on your modifications.  <p>
184  </p>  In the GNU project, we use
185  <p>  <a href="/copyleft/copyleft.html">copyleft</a>
186  In the GNU project, we use <a href="/copyleft/copyleft.html">``copyleft''</a>  to protect these freedoms legally for everyone.  But
187  to protect these freedoms legally for everyone.  But  <a href="/philosophy/categories.html#Non-CopyleftedFreeSoftware">noncopylefted
188  <a href="/philosophy/categories.html#Non-CopyleftedFreeSoftware">non-copylefted  free software</a> also exists.  We believe there are important reasons why
189  free software</a> also exists.  We believe there are  <a href="/philosophy/pragmatic.html">it is better to use copyleft</a>,
190  important reasons why <a href="/philosophy/pragmatic.html"> it is  but if your program is noncopylefted free software, it is still basically
191  better to use copyleft</a>, but if your program is non-copylefted free  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.)
192  software, we can still use it.</p>  </p>
193  <p>  
194  See <a href="/philosophy/categories.html">Categories of Free Software</a>  <p>
195  for a description of how ``free software,'' ``copylefted software'' and  Sometimes government <a id="exportcontrol">export control regulations</a>
196  other categories of software relate to each other.</p>  and trade sanctions can constrain your freedom to distribute copies of
197  <p>  programs internationally.  Software developers do not have the power to
198  Sometimes government <a id="exportcontrol">export control  eliminate or override these restrictions, but what they can and must do
199  regulations</a> and trade sanctions can constrain your freedom to  is refuse to impose them as conditions of use of the program.  In this
200  distribute copies of programs internationally.  Software developers do  way, the restrictions will not affect activities and people outside the
201  not have the power to eliminate or override these restrictions, but  jurisdictions of these governments.  Thus, free software licenses
202  what they can and must do is refuse to impose them as conditions of  must not require obedience to any export regulations as a condition of
203  use of the program.  In this way, the restrictions will not affect  any of the essential freedoms.
204  activities and people outside the jurisdictions of these governments.</p>  </p>
205  <p>  
206  Most free software licenses are based on copyright, and there are  <p>
207  limits on what kinds of requirements can be imposed through copyright.  Most free software licenses are based on copyright, and there are limits
208  If a copyright-based license respects freedom in the ways described  on what kinds of requirements can be imposed through copyright.  If a
209  above, it is unlikely to have some other sort of problem that we never  copyright-based license respects freedom in the ways described above, it
210  anticipated (though this does happen occasionally).  However, some  is unlikely to have some other sort of problem that we never anticipated
211  free software licenses are based on contracts, and contracts can  (though this does happen occasionally).  However, some free software
212  impose a much larger range of possible restrictions.  That means there  licenses are based on contracts, and contracts can impose a much larger
213  are many possible ways such a license could be unacceptably  range of possible restrictions.  That means there are many possible ways
214  restrictive and non-free.</p>  such a license could be unacceptably restrictive and nonfree.
215    </p>
216    
217  <p>  <p>
218  We can't possibly list all the ways that might happen.  If a  We can't possibly list all the ways that might happen.  If a
219  contract-based license restricts the user in an unusual way that  contract-based license restricts the user in an unusual way that
220  copyright-based licenses cannot, and which isn't mentioned here as  copyright-based licenses cannot, and which isn't mentioned here as
221  legitimate, we will have to think about it, and we will probably  legitimate, we will have to think about it, and we will probably conclude
222  conclude it is non-free.</p>  it is nonfree.
223    </p>
224    
225  <p>  <p>
226  When talking about free software, it is best to avoid using terms like  When talking about free software, it is best to avoid using terms
227  ``give away'' or ``for free'', because those terms imply that the  like &ldquo;give away&rdquo; or &ldquo;for free,&rdquo; because those terms imply that
228  issue is about price, not freedom.  Some common terms such as  the issue is about price, not freedom.  Some common terms such
229  ``piracy'' embody opinions we hope you won't endorse.  See  as &ldquo;piracy&rdquo; embody opinions we hope you won't endorse.  See
230  <a href="/philosophy/words-to-avoid.html">Confusing Words and Phrases  <a href="/philosophy/words-to-avoid.html">Confusing Words and Phrases that
231  that are Worth Avoiding</a> for a discussion of these terms.  are Worth Avoiding</a> for a discussion of these terms.  We also have
232  We also have a list of <a href="/philosophy/fs-translations.html">translations  a list of proper <a href="/philosophy/fs-translations.html">translations of
233  of "free software"</a> into various languages.</p>  &ldquo;free software&rdquo;</a> into various languages.
234    </p>
235    
236  <p>  <p>
237  Finally, note that criteria such as those stated in this free software  Finally, note that criteria such as those stated in this free software
238  definition require careful thought for their interpretation.  To  definition require careful thought for their interpretation.  To decide
239  decide whether a specific software license qualifies as a free  whether a specific software license qualifies as a free software license,
240  software license, we judge it based on these criteria to determine  we judge it based on these criteria to determine whether it fits their
241  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
242  license includes unconscionable restrictions, we reject it, even if we  restrictions, we reject it, even if we did not anticipate the issue
243  did not anticipate the issue in these criteria.  Sometimes a license  in these criteria.  Sometimes a license requirement raises an issue
244  requirement raises an issue that calls for extensive thought,  that calls for extensive thought, including discussions with a lawyer,
245  including discussions with a lawyer, before we can decide if the  before we can decide if the requirement is acceptable.  When we reach
246  requirement is acceptable.  When we reach a conclusion about a new  a conclusion about a new issue, we often update these criteria to make
247  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.
248  certain licenses do or don't qualify.</p>  </p>
249  <p>  
250  If you are interested in whether a specific license qualifies as a  <p>
251  free software license, see our <a  If you are interested in whether a specific license qualifies as a free
252  href="/licenses/license-list.html">list of licenses</a>.  If the  software license, see our <a href="/licenses/license-list.html">list
253  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
254  about it by sending us email at <a  listed there, you can ask us about it by sending us email at
255  href="mailto:licensing@gnu.org">&lt;licensing@gnu.org&gt;</a>.</p> <p>  <a href="mailto:licensing@gnu.org">&lt;licensing@gnu.org&gt;</a>.
256  If you are contemplating writing a new license, please contact the FSF  </p>
257  by writing to that address. The proliferation of different free  
258  software licenses means increased work for users in understanding the  <p>
259  licenses; we may be able to help you find an existing Free Software  If you are contemplating writing a new license, please contact the
260  license that meets your needs.  Free Software Foundation first by writing to that address. The
261    proliferation of different free software licenses means increased work
262    for users in understanding the licenses; we may be able to help you
263    find an existing free software license that meets your needs.
264  </p>  </p>
265    
266  <p>  <p>
267  If that isn't possible, if you really need a new license, with our  If that isn't possible, if you really need a new license, with our
268  help you can ensure that the license really is a Free Software license  help you can ensure that the license really is a free software license
269  and avoid various practical problems.  and avoid various practical problems.
270  </p>  </p>
 <hr />  
271    
272  <p>  <h2 id="beyond-software">Beyond Software</h2>
 Another group has started using the term "open source" to mean  
 something close (but not identical) to "free software".  We prefer the  
 term "free software" because, once you have heard it refers to freedom  
 rather than price, <a href="free-software-for-freedom.html">it calls  
 to mind freedom</a>.  The word "open" never does that.</p>  
   
 <hr />  
 <h4><a href="/philosophy/philosophy.html">Other Texts to Read</a></h4>  
   
   
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 [  
   <a href="/philosophy/free-sw.ar.html">&#1575;&#1604;&#1593;&#1585;&#1576;&#1610;&#1577;</a> <!-- Arabic -->  
 | <a href="/philosophy/free-sw.bg.html">&#x431;&#x44A;&#x43B;&#x433;&#x430;&#x440;&#x441;&#x43A;&#x438;</a>  <!-- Bulgarian -->  
 | <a href="/philosophy/free-sw.ca.html">Catal&#x00e0;</a>       <!-- Catalan -->  
273    
274  <!-- Chinese (Simplified) -->  <p>
275  | <a href="/philosophy/free-sw.cn.html">&#x7b80;&#x4f53;&#x4e2d;&#x6587;</a>  <a href="/philosophy/free-doc.html">Software manuals must be free</a>,
276    for the same reasons that software must be free, and because the
277    manuals are in effect part of the software.
278    </p>
279    
280  <!-- Chinese (Traditional) -->  <p>
281  | <a href="/philosophy/free-sw.zh.html">&#x7e41;&#x9ad4;&#x4e2d;&#x6587;</a>  The same arguments also make sense for other kinds of works of
282    practical use &mdash; that is to say, works that embody useful knowledge,
283    such as educational works and reference
284    works.  <a href="http://wikipedia.org">Wikipedia</a> is the best known
285    example.
286    </p>
287    
288  | <a href="/philosophy/free-sw.cs.html">&#x010c;esky</a>        <!-- Czech -->  <p>
289  | <a href="/philosophy/free-sw.da.html">Dansk</a>       <!-- Danish -->  Any kind of work <em>can</em> be free, and the definition of free software
290  | <a href="/philosophy/free-sw.de.html">Deutsch</a>     <!-- German -->  has been extended to a definition of <a href="http://freedomdefined.org/">
291  | <a href="/philosophy/free-sw.html">English</a>  free cultural works</a> applicable to any kind of works.
 | <a href="/philosophy/free-sw.el.html">Ελληνικά</a>  <!--Greek-->  
 | <a href="/philosophy/free-sw.es.html">Espa&#x00f1;ol</a>      <!-- Spanish -->  
 | <a href="/philosophy/free-sw.eo.html">Esperanto</a>  
   
 <!-- Persian/Farsi -->  
 | <a href="/philosophy/free-sw.fa.html">&#x0641;&#x0627;&#x0631;&#x0633;&#x06cc;</a>  
   
 | <a href="/philosophy/free-sw.fr.html">Fran&#x00e7;ais</a>     <!-- French -->  
 | <a href="/philosophy/free-sw.gl.html">Galego</a>      <!-- Galician -->  
 | <a href="/philosophy/free-sw.he.html">&#x05e2;&#x05d1;&#x05e8;&#x05d9;&#x05ea;</a>    <!-- Hebrew -->  
 | <a href="/philosophy/free-sw.hr.html">Hrvatski</a>    <!-- Croatian -->  
 | <a href="/philosophy/free-sw.id.html">Bahasa Indonesia</a>    <!-- Indonesian -->  
 | <a href="/philosophy/free-sw.it.html">Italiano</a>    <!-- Italian -->  
 | <a href="/philosophy/free-sw.ja.html">&#x65e5;&#x672c;&#x8a9e;</a>    <!-- Japanese -->  
 | <a href="/philosophy/free-sw.ko.html">&#xd55c;&#xad6d;&#xc5b4;</a>    <!-- Korean -->  
 | <a href="/philosophy/free-sw.hu.html">Magyar</a>      <!-- Hungarian -->  
 | <a href="/philosophy/free-sw.nl.html">Nederlands</a>  <!-- Dutch -->  
 | <a href="/philosophy/free-sw.no.html">Norsk</a>       <!-- Norwegian -->  
 | <a href="/philosophy/free-sw.pl.html">Polski</a>      <!-- Polish -->  
 | <a href="/philosophy/free-sw.pt.html">Portugu&#x0ea;s</a>     <!-- Portuguese -->  
 | <a href="/philosophy/free-sw.ro.html">Rom&#x00e2;n&#x0103;</a>        <!-- Romanian -->  
 | <a href="/philosophy/free-sw.ru.html">&#1056;&#1091;&#1089;&#1089;&#1082;&#1080;&#1081;</a> <!-- Russian -->  
 | <a href="/philosophy/free-sw.sl.html">Slovinsko</a>   <!--- Slovenian -->  
 | <a href="/philosophy/free-sw.sr.html">&#x0421;&#x0440;&#x043f;&#x0441;&#x043a;&#x0438;</a> <!-- Serbian -->  
 | <a href="/philosophy/free-sw.tl.html">Tagalog</a>     <!-- Tagalog -->  
 | <a href="/philosophy/free-sw.tr.html">T&#x00fc;rk&#x00e7;e</a>        <!-- Turkish -->  
 ]  
292  </p>  </p>
 </div>  
293    
294  <div class="copyright">  <h2 id="open-source">Open Source?</h2>
295    
296  <p>  <p>
297  Return to the <a href="/home.html">GNU Project home page</a>.  Another group has started using the term &ldquo;open source&rdquo; to mean
298    something close (but not identical) to &ldquo;free software.&rdquo;  We
299    prefer the term &ldquo;free software&rdquo; because, once you have heard that
300    it refers to freedom rather than price, it calls to mind freedom.  The
301    word &ldquo;open&rdquo; <a href="/philosophy/open-source-misses-the-point.html">
302    never refers to freedom</a>.
303  </p>  </p>
304    
305    <h2 id="History">History</h2>
306    
307    <p>From time to time we revise this Free Software Definition to
308    clarify it.  Here we provide a list of those modifications, along with
309    links to illustrate exactly what changed, so that others can review
310    them if they like.</p>
311    
312    <ul>
313    
314    <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
315    1.92</a>: Clarify that obfuscated code does not qualify as source code.</li>
316    
317    <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
318    1.90</a>: Clarify that freedom 3 means the right to distribute copies
319    of your own modified or improved version, not a right to participate
320    in someone else's development project.</li>
321    
322    <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
323    1.89</a>: Freedom 3 includes the right to release modified versions as
324    free software.</li>
325    
326    <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
327    1.80</a>: Freedom 1 must be practical, not just theoretical;
328    i.e., no tivoization.</li>
329    
330    <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
331    1.77</a>: Clarify that all retroactive changes to the license are
332    unacceptable, even if it's not described as a complete
333    replacement.</li>
334    
335    <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
336    1.74</a>: Four clarifications of points not explicit enough, or stated
337    in some places but not reflected everywhere:
338    <ul>
339    <li>"Improvements" does not mean the license can
340    substantively limit what kinds of modified versions you can release.
341    Freedom 3 includes distributing modified versions, not just changes.</li>
342    <li>The right to merge in existing modules
343    refers to those that are suitably licensed.</li>
344    <li>Explicitly state the conclusion of the point about export controls.</li>
345    <li>Imposing a license change constitutes revoking the old license.</li>
346    </ul>
347    </li>
348    
349    <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
350    1.57</a>: Add &quot;Beyond Software&quot; section.</li>
351    
352    <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
353    1.46</a>: Clarify whose purpose is significant in the freedom to run
354    the program for any purpose.</li>
355    
356    <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
357    1.41</a>: Clarify wording about contract-based licenses.</li>
358    
359    <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
360    1.40</a>: Explain that a free license must allow to you use other
361    available free software to create your modifications.</li>
362    
363    <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
364    1.39</a>: Note that it is acceptable for a license to require you to
365    provide source for versions of the software you put into public
366    use.</li>
367    
368    <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
369    1.31</a>: Note that it is acceptable for a license to require you to
370    identify yourself as the author of modifications.  Other minor
371    clarifications throughout the text.</li>
372    
373    <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
374    1.23</a>: Address potential problems related to contract-based
375    licenses.</li>
376    
377    <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
378    1.16</a>: Explain why distribution of binaries is important.</li>
379    
380    <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
381    1.11</a>: Note that a free license may require you to send a copy of
382    versions you distribute to the author.</li>
383    
384    </ul>
385    
386    <p>There are gaps in the version numbers because there are many other
387    changes that do not affect the substance of the definition at all.
388    Instead, they fix links, add translations, and so on.  If you would
389    like to review the complete list of changes, you can do so on
390    our <a href="http://web.cvs.savannah.gnu.org/viewvc/www/philosophy/free-sw.html?root=www&amp;view=log">cvsweb
391    interface</a>.</p>
392    
393    </div>
394    
395    <!--#include virtual="/server/footer.html" -->
396    
397    <div id="footer">
398    
399  <p>  <p>
400  Please send FSF &amp; GNU inquiries to  Please send FSF &amp; GNU inquiries to
401  <a href="mailto:gnu@gnu.org"><em>gnu@gnu.org</em></a>.  <a href="mailto:gnu@gnu.org">&lt;gnu@gnu.org&gt;</a>.
402  There are also <a href="/home.html#ContactInfo">other ways to contact</a>  There are also <a href="/contact/">other ways to contact</a>
403  the FSF.  the FSF.
404  <br />  <br />
405  Please send broken links and other corrections (or suggestions) to  Please send broken links and other corrections or suggestions to
406  <a href="mailto:webmasters@gnu.org"><em>webmasters@gnu.org</em></a>.  <a href="mailto:webmasters@gnu.org">&lt;webmasters@gnu.org&gt;</a>.
407  </p>  </p>
408    
409  <p>  <p>
# Line 314  translations of this article. Line 414  translations of this article.
414  </p>  </p>
415    
416  <p>  <p>
417  Copyright (C) 1996, 1997, 1998, 1999, 2000, 2001, 2002, 2003, 2004 Free  Copyright &copy; 1996, 1997, 1998, 1999, 2000, 2001, 2002, 2004,
418  Software Foundation, Inc., 51 Franklin St, Fifth Floor, Boston, MA  2005, 2006, 2007, 2009, 2010 Free Software Foundation, Inc.
419  02110,  USA  </p>
420  <br />  <p>Verbatim copying and distribution of this entire article is
 Verbatim copying and distribution of this entire article is  
421  permitted in any medium without royalty provided this notice is  permitted in any medium without royalty provided this notice is
422  preserved.  preserved.
423  </p>  </p>
# Line 326  preserved. Line 425  preserved.
425  <p>  <p>
426  Updated:  Updated:
427  <!-- timestamp start -->  <!-- timestamp start -->
428  $Date$ $Author$  $Date$
429  <!-- timestamp end -->  <!-- timestamp end -->
430  </p>  </p>
431  </div>  </div>
432    
433    <div id="translations">
434    <h4>Translations of this page</h4>
435    
436    <!-- Please keep this list alphabetical by language code.
437         Comment what the language is for each type, i.e. de is German.
438         Write the language name in its own language (Deutsch) in the text.
439         If you add a new language here, please
440         advise web-translators@gnu.org and add it to
441          - /home/www/html/server/standards/README.translations.html
442          - one of the lists under the section "Translations Underway"
443          - if there is a translation team, you also have to add an alias
444          to mail.gnu.org:/com/mailer/aliases
445         Please also check you have the language code right; see:
446         http://www.loc.gov/standards/iso639-2/php/code_list.php
447         If the 2-letter ISO 639-1 code is not available,
448         use the 3-letter ISO 639-2.
449         Please use W3C normative character entities. -->
450    
451    <ul class="translations-list">
452    <!-- Afrikaans -->
453    <li><a href="/philosophy/free-sw.af.html">Afrikaans</a>&nbsp;[af]</li>
454    <!-- Arabic -->
455    <li><a href="/philosophy/free-sw.ar.html">&#1575;&#1604;&#1593;&#1585;&#1576;&#1610;&#1577;</a>&nbsp;[ar]</li>
456    <!-- Azerbaijani -->
457    <li><a href="/philosophy/free-sw.az.html">Az&#x0259;rbaycanca</a>&nbsp;[az]</li>
458    <!-- Bulgarian -->
459    <li><a href="/philosophy/free-sw.bg.html">&#x431;&#x44A;&#x43B;&#x433;&#x430;&#x440;&#x441;&#x43A;&#x438;</a>&nbsp;[bg]</li>
460    <!-- Bengali -->
461    <li><a href="/philosophy/free-sw.bn.html">&#2476;&#2494;&#2434;&#2482;&#2494;</a>&nbsp;[bn]</li>
462    <!-- Bosnian -->
463    <li><a href="/philosophy/free-sw.bs.html">bosanski</a>&nbsp;[bs]</li>
464    <!-- Catalan -->
465    <li><a href="/philosophy/free-sw.ca.html">catal&#x00e0;</a>&nbsp;[ca]</li>
466    <!-- Czech -->
467    <li><a href="/philosophy/free-sw.cs.html">&#x010c;esky</a>&nbsp;[cs]</li>
468    <!-- Danish -->
469    <li><a href="/philosophy/free-sw.da.html">dansk</a>&nbsp;[da]</li>
470    <!-- German -->
471    <li><a href="/philosophy/free-sw.de.html">Deutsch</a>&nbsp;[de]</li>
472    <!-- Greek -->
473    <li><a href="/philosophy/free-sw.el.html">&#x03b5;&#x03bb;&#x03bb;&#x03b7;&#x03bd;&#x03b9;&#x03ba;&#x03ac;</a>&nbsp;[el]</li>
474    <!-- English -->
475    <li><a href="/philosophy/free-sw.html">English</a>&nbsp;[en]</li>
476    <!-- Esperanto -->
477    <li><a href="/philosophy/free-sw.eo.html">Esperanto</a>&nbsp;[eo]</li>
478    <!-- Spanish -->
479    <li><a href="/philosophy/free-sw.es.html">espa&#x00f1;ol</a>&nbsp;[es]</li>
480    <!-- Farsi (Persian) -->
481    <li><a href="/philosophy/free-sw.fa.html">&#x0641;&#x0627;&#x0631;&#x0633;&#x06cc;</a>&nbsp;[fa]</li>
482    <!-- French -->
483    <li><a href="/philosophy/free-sw.fr.html">fran&#x00e7;ais</a>&nbsp;[fr]</li>
484    <!-- Galician -->
485    <li><a href="/philosophy/free-sw.gl.html">galego</a>&nbsp;[gl]</li>
486    <!-- Hebrew -->
487    <li><a href="/philosophy/free-sw.he.html">&#x05e2;&#x05d1;&#x05e8;&#x05d9;&#x05ea;</a>&nbsp;[he]</li>
488    <!-- Croatian -->
489    <li><a href="/philosophy/free-sw.hr.html">hrvatski</a>&nbsp;[hr]</li>
490    <!-- Hungarian -->
491    <li><a href="/philosophy/free-sw.hu.html">magyar</a>&nbsp;[hu]</li>
492    <!-- Indonesian -->
493    <li><a href="/philosophy/free-sw.id.html">Bahasa Indonesia</a>&nbsp;[id]</li>
494    <!-- Italian -->
495    <li><a href="/philosophy/free-sw.it.html">italiano</a>&nbsp;[it]</li>
496    <!-- Japanese -->
497    <li><a href="/philosophy/free-sw.ja.html">&#x65e5;&#x672c;&#x8a9e;</a>&nbsp;[ja]</li>
498    <!-- Korean -->
499    <li><a href="/philosophy/free-sw.ko.html">&#xd55c;&#xad6d;&#xc5b4;</a>&nbsp;[ko]</li>
500    <!-- Norwegian BokmÃ¥l -->
501    <li><a href="/philosophy/free-sw.nb.html">norsk (bokm&aring;l)</a>&nbsp;[nb]</li>
502    <!-- Dutch -->
503    <li><a href="/philosophy/free-sw.nl.html">Nederlands</a>&nbsp;[nl]</li>
504    <!-- Polish -->
505    <li><a href="/philosophy/free-sw.pl.html">polski</a>&nbsp;[pl]</li>
506    <!-- Brazilian Portuguese -->
507    <li><a href="/philosophy/free-sw.pt-br.html">portugu&#x0ea;s do Brasil</a>&nbsp;[pt-br]</li>
508    <!-- Romanian -->
509    <li><a href="/philosophy/free-sw.ro.html">rom&#x00e2;n&#x0103;</a>&nbsp;[ro]</li>
510    <!-- Russian -->
511    <li><a href="/philosophy/free-sw.ru.html">&#x0440;&#x0443;&#x0441;&#x0441;&#x043a;&#x0438;&#x0439;</a>&nbsp;[ru]</li>
512    <!-- Slovak -->
513    <li><a href="/philosophy/free-sw.sk.html">sloven&#269;ina</a>&nbsp;[sk]</li>
514    <!--- Slovenian -->
515    <li><a href="/philosophy/free-sw.sl.html">sloven&scaron;&#269;ina</a>&nbsp;[sl]</li>
516    <!-- Serbian -->
517    <li><a href="/philosophy/free-sw.sr.html">&#x0441;&#x0440;&#x043f;&#x0441;&#x043a;&#x0438;</a>&nbsp;[sr]</li>
518    <!-- Swedish -->
519    <li><a href="/philosophy/free-sw.sv.html">svenska</a>&nbsp;[sv]</li>
520    <!-- Tamil -->
521    <li><a href="/philosophy/free-sw.ta.html">&#2980;&#2990;&#3007;&#2996;&#3021;</a>&nbsp;[ta]</li>
522    <!-- Tagalog -->
523    <li><a href="/philosophy/free-sw.tl.html">Tagalog</a>&nbsp;[tl]</li>
524    <!-- Turkish -->
525    <li><a href="/philosophy/free-sw.tr.html">T&#x00fc;rk&#x00e7;e</a>&nbsp;[tr]</li>
526    <!-- Chinese (Simplified) -->
527    <li><a href="/philosophy/free-sw.zh-cn.html">&#x7b80;&#x4f53;&#x4e2d;&#x6587;</a>&nbsp;[zh-cn]</li>
528    <!-- Chinese (Traditional) -->
529    <li><a href="/philosophy/free-sw.zh-tw.html">&#x7e41;&#x9ad4;&#x4e2d;&#x6587;</a>&nbsp;[zh-tw]</li>
530    </ul>
531    </div>
532    
533    </div>
534    
535  </body>  </body>
536  </html>  </html>

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