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revision 1.89 by rms, Sat Dec 12 14:56:55 2009 UTC revision 1.103 by jrasata, Fri Nov 12 18:54:21 2010 UTC
# Line 20  the <a href="#History">History section</ Line 20  the <a href="#History">History section</
20  </p>  </p>
21    
22  <p>  <p>
23  <q>Free software</q> is a matter of liberty, not price.  To understand  &ldquo;Free software&rdquo; 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 &ldquo;free&rdquo; as in &ldquo;free speech,&rdquo;
25  not as in <q>free beer.</q>  not as in &ldquo;free beer.&rdquo;
26  </p>  </p>
27    
28  <p>  <p>
# Line 40  program's users have the four essential Line 40  program's users have the four essential
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>
# Line 89  make them. Line 89  make them.
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    &ldquo;source code&rdquo; 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 &mdash;  run someone else's modified versions but refuse to run yours &mdash;
101  a practice known as &ldquo;tivoization&rdquo; or (through  a practice known as &ldquo;tivoization&rdquo; or (in its practitioners'
102  blacklisting) as &ldquo;secure boot&rdquo; &mdash; freedom 1 becomes a  perverse terminology) as &ldquo;secure boot&rdquo; &mdash; 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.
# Line 112  license is too restrictive to qualify as Line 114  license is too restrictive to qualify as
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
# Line 138  the central freedoms; rather it protects Line 140  the central freedoms; rather it protects
140  </p>  </p>
141    
142  <p>  <p>
143  <q>Free software</q> does not mean <q>noncommercial.</q>  A free  &ldquo;Free software&rdquo; does not mean &ldquo;noncommercial.&rdquo;  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.
# Line 155  someone else considers an improvement, t Line 157  someone else considers an improvement, t
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 &ldquo;if you make your version available in this way, you
173    must make it available in that way also&rdquo; 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 &ldquo;free software,&rdquo; &ldquo;copylefted software&rdquo; 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>
# Line 219  it is nonfree. Line 224  it is nonfree.
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 &ldquo;give away&rdquo; or &ldquo;for free,&rdquo; 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 &ldquo;piracy&rdquo; 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.  &ldquo;free software&rdquo;</a> into various languages.
234  </p>  </p>
235    
236  <p>  <p>
# Line 276  manuals are in effect part of the softwa Line 281  manuals are in effect part of the softwa
281  The same arguments also make sense for other kinds of works of  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,  practical use &mdash; that is to say, works that embody useful knowledge,
283  such as educational works and reference  such as educational works and reference
284  works.  <a href="http://wikipedia.org">Wikipedia</a> is the best known  works.  <a href="http://wikipedia.org">Wikipedia</a> is the best-known
285  example.  example.
286  </p>  </p>
287    
# Line 289  free cultural works</a> applicable to an Line 294  free cultural works</a> applicable to an
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 &ldquo;open source&rdquo; to mean
298  something close (but not identical) to <q>free software.</q>  We  something close (but not identical) to &ldquo;free software.&rdquo;  We
299  prefer the term <q>free software</q> because, once you have heard that  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  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 &ldquo;open&rdquo; <a href="/philosophy/open-source-misses-the-point.html">
302  never refers to freedom</a>.  never refers to freedom</a>.
303  </p>  </p>
304    
# Line 306  them if they like.</p> Line 311  them if they like.</p>
311    
312  <ul>  <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  <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  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&amp;r1=1.79&amp;r2=1.80">Version  <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;  1.80</a>: Freedom 1 must be practical, not just theoretical;
328  i.e., no tivoization.</li>  i.e., no tivoization.</li>
# Line 402  translations of this article. Line 414  translations of this article.
414  </p>  </p>
415    
416  <p>  <p>
417  Copyright &copy; 1996, 1997, 1998, 1999, 2000, 2001, 2002, 2003, 2004,  Copyright &copy; 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
# Line 421  $Date$ Line 433  $Date$
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>&nbsp;[af]</li>  <li><a href="/philosophy/free-sw.af.html">Afrikaans</a>&nbsp;[af]</li>
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