20 |
</p> |
</p> |
21 |
|
|
22 |
<p> |
<p> |
23 |
<q>Free software</q> is a matter of liberty, not price. To understand |
“Free software” is a matter of liberty, not price. To understand |
24 |
the concept, you should think of <q>free</q> as in <q>free speech,</q> |
the concept, you should think of “free” as in “free speech,” |
25 |
not as in <q>free beer.</q> |
not as in “free beer.” |
26 |
</p> |
</p> |
27 |
|
|
28 |
<p> |
<p> |
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). |
(freedom 2). |
42 |
</li> |
</li> |
43 |
<li>The freedom to improve the program, and release your improvements |
<li>The freedom to distribute copies of your modified versions |
44 |
(and modified versions in general) |
to others (freedom 3). By doing this you can give the whole |
45 |
to the public, so that the whole community benefits (freedom 3). |
community a chance to benefit from your changes. |
46 |
Access to the source code is a precondition for this. |
Access to the source code is a precondition for this. |
47 |
</li> |
</li> |
48 |
</ul> |
</ul> |
89 |
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 |
90 |
freedom to publish improved versions) to be meaningful, you must have |
freedom to publish improved versions) to be meaningful, you must have |
91 |
access to the source code of the program. Therefore, accessibility of |
access to the source code of the program. Therefore, accessibility of |
92 |
source code is a necessary condition for free software. |
source code is a necessary condition for free software. Obfuscated |
93 |
|
“source code” is not real source code and does not count |
94 |
|
as source code. |
95 |
</p> |
</p> |
96 |
|
|
97 |
<p> |
<p> |
98 |
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 |
99 |
the original. If the program is delivered in a product designed to |
the original. If the program is delivered in a product designed to |
100 |
run someone else's modified versions but refuse to run yours — |
run someone else's modified versions but refuse to run yours — |
101 |
a practice known as “tivoization” or (through |
a practice known as “tivoization” or (in its practitioners' |
102 |
blacklisting) as “secure boot” — freedom 1 becomes a |
perverse terminology) as “secure boot” — freedom 1 becomes a |
103 |
theoretical fiction rather than a practical freedom. This is not |
theoretical fiction rather than a practical freedom. This is not |
104 |
sufficient. In other words, these binaries are not free software |
sufficient. In other words, these binaries are not free software |
105 |
even if the source code they are compiled from is free. |
even if the source code they are compiled from is free. |
114 |
</p> |
</p> |
115 |
|
|
116 |
<p> |
<p> |
117 |
Freedom 3 includes the freedom to use release your modified versions |
Freedom 3 includes the freedom to release your modified versions |
118 |
as free software. A free license may also permit other ways of |
as free software. A free license may also permit other ways of |
119 |
releasing them; in other words, it does not have to be |
releasing them; in other words, it does not have to be |
120 |
a <a href="/copyleft/copyleft.html">copyleft</a> license. However, a |
a <a href="/copyleft/copyleft.html">copyleft</a> license. However, a |
140 |
</p> |
</p> |
141 |
|
|
142 |
<p> |
<p> |
143 |
<q>Free software</q> does not mean <q>noncommercial.</q> A free |
“Free software” does not mean “noncommercial.” A free |
144 |
program must be available for commercial use, commercial development, |
program must be available for commercial use, commercial development, |
145 |
and commercial distribution. Commercial development of free software |
and commercial distribution. Commercial development of free software |
146 |
is no longer unusual; such free commercial software is very important. |
is no longer unusual; such free commercial software is very important. |
157 |
</p> |
</p> |
158 |
|
|
159 |
<p> |
<p> |
160 |
However, rules about how to package a modified version are acceptable, if they |
However, rules about how to package a modified version are acceptable, |
161 |
don't substantively limit your freedom to release modified versions, or |
if they don't substantively limit your freedom to release modified |
162 |
your freedom to make and use modified versions privately. Rules that <q>if |
versions, or your freedom to make and use modified versions privately. |
163 |
you make your version available in this way, you must make it available in |
Thus, it is acceptable for the license to require that you change the |
164 |
that way also</q> can be acceptable too, on the same condition. (Note that |
name of the modified version, remove a logo, or identify your |
165 |
such a rule still leaves you the choice of whether to publish your version |
modifications as yours. As long as these requirements are not so |
166 |
at all.) Rules that require release of source code to the users for |
burdensome that they effectively hamper you from releasing your |
167 |
versions that you put into public use are also acceptable. It is also |
changes, they are acceptable; you're already making other changes to |
168 |
acceptable for the license to require that you identify |
the program, so you won't have trouble making a few more. |
169 |
your modifications as yours, or that, if you have distributed a modified |
</p> |
170 |
version and a previous developer asks for a copy of it, you must send |
|
171 |
one. |
<p> |
172 |
|
Rules that “if you make your version available in this way, you |
173 |
|
must make it available in that way also” can be acceptable too, |
174 |
|
on the same condition. An example of such an acceptable rule is one |
175 |
|
saying that if you have distributed a |
176 |
|
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 |
180 |
|
are also acceptable. |
181 |
</p> |
</p> |
182 |
|
|
183 |
<p> |
<p> |
184 |
In the GNU project, we use |
In the GNU project, we use |
185 |
<q><a href="/copyleft/copyleft.html">copyleft</a></q> |
<a href="/copyleft/copyleft.html">copyleft</a> |
186 |
to protect these freedoms legally for everyone. But |
to protect these freedoms legally for everyone. But |
187 |
<a href="/philosophy/categories.html#Non-CopyleftedFreeSoftware">non-copylefted |
<a href="/philosophy/categories.html#Non-CopyleftedFreeSoftware">noncopylefted |
188 |
free software</a> also exists. We believe there are important reasons why |
free software</a> also exists. We believe there are important reasons why |
189 |
<a href="/philosophy/pragmatic.html">it is better to use copyleft</a>, |
<a href="/philosophy/pragmatic.html">it is better to use copyleft</a>, |
190 |
but if your program is non-copylefted free software, it is still basically |
but if your program is noncopylefted free software, it is still basically |
191 |
ethical. |
ethical. (See <a href="/philosophy/categories.html">Categories of Free Software</a> for a description of how “free software,” “copylefted software” and other categories of software relate to each other.) |
|
</p> |
|
|
|
|
|
<p> |
|
|
See <a href="/philosophy/categories.html">Categories of Free Software</a> |
|
|
for a description of how <q>free software,</q> <q>copylefted software</q> |
|
|
and other categories of software relate to each other. |
|
192 |
</p> |
</p> |
193 |
|
|
194 |
<p> |
<p> |
224 |
|
|
225 |
<p> |
<p> |
226 |
When talking about free software, it is best to avoid using terms |
When talking about free software, it is best to avoid using terms |
227 |
like <q>give away</q> or <q>for free,</q> because those terms imply that |
like “give away” or “for free,” because those terms imply that |
228 |
the issue is about price, not freedom. Some common terms such |
the issue is about price, not freedom. Some common terms such |
229 |
as <q>piracy</q> embody opinions we hope you won't endorse. See |
as “piracy” embody opinions we hope you won't endorse. See |
230 |
<a href="/philosophy/words-to-avoid.html">Confusing Words and Phrases that |
<a href="/philosophy/words-to-avoid.html">Confusing Words and Phrases that |
231 |
are Worth Avoiding</a> for a discussion of these terms. We also have |
are Worth Avoiding</a> for a discussion of these terms. We also have |
232 |
a list of proper <a href="/philosophy/fs-translations.html">translations of |
a list of proper <a href="/philosophy/fs-translations.html">translations of |
233 |
<q>free software</q></a> into various languages. |
“free software”</a> into various languages. |
234 |
</p> |
</p> |
235 |
|
|
236 |
<p> |
<p> |
294 |
<h2 id="open-source">Open Source?</h2> |
<h2 id="open-source">Open Source?</h2> |
295 |
|
|
296 |
<p> |
<p> |
297 |
Another group has started using the term <q>open source</q> to mean |
Another group has started using the term “open source” to mean |
298 |
something close (but not identical) to <q>free software.</q> We |
something close (but not identical) to “free software.” We |
299 |
prefer the term <q>free software</q> because, once you have heard that |
prefer the term “free software” because, once you have heard that |
300 |
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 |
301 |
word <q>open</q> <a href="/philosophy/open-source-misses-the-point.html"> |
word “open” <a href="/philosophy/open-source-misses-the-point.html"> |
302 |
never refers to freedom</a>. |
never refers to freedom</a>. |
303 |
</p> |
</p> |
304 |
|
|
311 |
|
|
312 |
<ul> |
<ul> |
313 |
|
|
314 |
|
<li><a href="http://web.cvs.savannah.gnu.org/viewvc/www/philosophy/free-sw.html?root=www&r1=1.91&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&r1=1.89&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&r1=1.88&r2=1.89">Version |
<li><a href="http://web.cvs.savannah.gnu.org/viewvc/www/philosophy/free-sw.html?root=www&r1=1.88&r2=1.89">Version |
323 |
1.89</a>: Freedom 3 includes the right to release modified versions as |
1.89</a>: Freedom 3 includes the right to release modified versions as |
324 |
free software.</li> |
free software.</li> |
325 |
|
|
|
|
|
326 |
<li><a href="http://web.cvs.savannah.gnu.org/viewvc/www/philosophy/free-sw.html?root=www&r1=1.79&r2=1.80">Version |
<li><a href="http://web.cvs.savannah.gnu.org/viewvc/www/philosophy/free-sw.html?root=www&r1=1.79&r2=1.80">Version |
327 |
1.80</a>: Freedom 1 must be practical, not just theoretical; |
1.80</a>: Freedom 1 must be practical, not just theoretical; |
328 |
i.e., no tivoization.</li> |
i.e., no tivoization.</li> |
414 |
</p> |
</p> |
415 |
|
|
416 |
<p> |
<p> |
417 |
Copyright © 1996, 1997, 1998, 1999, 2000, 2001, 2002, 2003, 2004, |
Copyright © 1996, 1997, 1998, 1999, 2000, 2001, 2002, 2004, |
418 |
2005, 2006, 2007, 2009 Free Software Foundation, Inc. |
2005, 2006, 2007, 2009, 2010 Free Software Foundation, Inc. |
419 |
</p> |
</p> |
420 |
<p>Verbatim copying and distribution of this entire article is |
<p>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 |
433 |
<div id="translations"> |
<div id="translations"> |
434 |
<h4>Translations of this page</h4> |
<h4>Translations of this page</h4> |
435 |
|
|
436 |
<!-- Please keep this list alphabetical, and in the original --> |
<!-- Please keep this list alphabetical by language code. |
437 |
<!-- language if possible, otherwise default to English --> |
Comment what the language is for each type, i.e. de is German. |
438 |
<!-- If you do not have it English, please comment what the --> |
Write the language name in its own language (Deutsch) in the text. |
439 |
<!-- English is. If you add a new language here, please --> |
If you add a new language here, please |
440 |
<!-- advise web-translators@gnu.org and add it to --> |
advise web-translators@gnu.org and add it to |
441 |
<!-- - in /home/www/bin/nightly-vars either TAGSLANG or WEBLANG --> |
- /home/www/html/server/standards/README.translations.html |
442 |
<!-- - in /home/www/html/server/standards/README.translations.html --> |
- one of the lists under the section "Translations Underway" |
443 |
<!-- one of the lists under the section "Translations Underway" --> |
- if there is a translation team, you also have to add an alias |
444 |
<!-- - if there is a translation team, you also have to add an alias --> |
to mail.gnu.org:/com/mailer/aliases |
445 |
<!-- to mail.gnu.org:/com/mailer/aliases --> |
Please also check you have the language code right; see: |
446 |
<!-- Please also check you have the 2 letter language code right versus --> |
http://www.loc.gov/standards/iso639-2/php/code_list.php |
447 |
<!-- http://www.w3.org/WAI/ER/IG/ert/iso639.htm --> |
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"> |
<ul class="translations-list"> |
452 |
<!-- Afrikaans --> |
<!-- Afrikaans --> |
453 |
<li><a href="/philosophy/free-sw.af.html">Afrikaans</a> [af]</li> |
<li><a href="/philosophy/free-sw.af.html">Afrikaans</a> [af]</li> |