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1  <!DOCTYPE html PUBLIC "-//IETF//DTD HTML 2.0//EN">  <!--#include virtual="/server/header.html" -->
2  <HTML>  
3  <HEAD>  <title>What is free software? - GNU Project - Free Software Foundation (FSF)</title>
4  <TITLE>The Free Software Definition - GNU Project - Free Software Foundation (FSF)</TITLE>  
5  <LINK REV="made" HREF="mailto:webmasters@www.gnu.org">  <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  </HEAD>  <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." />
7  <BODY BGCOLOR="#FFFFFF" TEXT="#000000" LINK="#1F00FF" ALINK="#FF0000" VLINK="#9900DD">  <link rel="alternate" title="What's New" href="http://www.gnu.org/rss/whatsnew.rss" type="application/rss+xml" />
8  <H3>The Free Software Definition</H3>  <link rel="alternate" title="New Free Software" href="http://www.gnu.org/rss/quagga.rss" type="application/rss+xml" />
9    
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11     ALT=" [image of a Philosophical Gnu] "  <!--#include virtual="/philosophy/po/free-sw.translist" -->
12     WIDTH="160" HEIGHT="200"></A>  
13    <h2>What is free software?</h2>
14  [  
15  <!-- Please keep this list alphabetical -->  <h3>The Free Software Definition</h3>
16  <!-- PLEASE UPDATE THE LIST AT THE BOTTOM (OR TOP) OF THE PAGE TOO! -->  
17    <A HREF="/philosophy/free-sw.hr.html">Croatian</A>  <blockquote>
18  | <A HREF="/philosophy/free-sw.nl.html">Dutch</A>  The free software definition presents the criteria for whether a
19  | <A HREF="/philosophy/free-sw.html">English</A>  particular software program qualifies as free software.  From time to
20  | <A HREF="/philosophy/free-sw.fr.html">French</A>  time we revise this definition, to clarify it or to resolve questions
21  | <A HREF="/philosophy/free-sw.gl.html">Galician</A>  about subtle issues.  See the <a href="#History">History section</a>
22  | <A HREF="/philosophy/free-sw.de.html">German</A>  below for a list of changes that affect the definition of free
23  | <A HREF="/philosophy/free-sw.hu.html">Hungarian</A>  software.
24  | <A HREF="/philosophy/free-sw.id.html">Indonesian</A>  </blockquote>
25  | <A HREF="/philosophy/free-sw.it.html">Italian</A>  
26  | <A HREF="/philosophy/free-sw.ja.html">Japanese</A>  <p>
27  | <A HREF="/philosophy/free-sw.ko.html">Korean</A>  &ldquo;Free software&rdquo; means software that respects users'
28  | <A HREF="/philosophy/free-sw.no.html">Norwegian</A>  freedom and community.  Roughly, the users have the freedom to run,
29  | <A HREF="/philosophy/free-sw.pl.html">Polish</A>  copy, distribute, study, change and improve the software.  With these
30  | <A HREF="/philosophy/free-sw.pt.html">Portuguese</A>  freedoms, the users (both individually and collectively) control the
31  | <A HREF="/philosophy/free-sw.ru.html">Russian</A>  program and what it does for them.
32  | <A HREF="/philosophy/free-sw.sl.html">Slovenian</A>  </p>
33  | <A HREF="/philosophy/free-sw.es.html">Spanish</A>  
34  | <A HREF="/philosophy/free-sw.tr.html">Turkish</A>  <p>
35  <!-- Please keep this list alphabetical -->  When users don't control the program, the program controls the users.
36  <!-- PLEASE UPDATE THE LIST AT THE BOTTOM (OR TOP) OF THE PAGE TOO! -->  The developer controls the program, and through it controls the users.
37  ]  This nonfree or &ldquo;proprietary&rdquo; program is therefore an
38  <P>  instrument of unjust power.
39    </p>
40  We maintain this free software definition to show clearly what must be  
41  true about a particular software program for it to be considered  <p>
42  free software.  Thus, &ldquo;free software&rdquo; is a matter of liberty, not price.
43    To understand the concept, you should think of &ldquo;free&rdquo; as
44  <P>  in &ldquo;free speech,&rdquo; not as in &ldquo;free beer&rdquo;.
45    </p>
46  ``Free software'' is a matter of liberty, not price.  To understand the  
47  concept, you should think of ``free'' as in ``free speech,'' not as in  <p>
48  ``free beer.''  A program is free software if the program's users have the
49  <P>  four essential freedoms:
50  Free software is a matter of the users' freedom to run, copy,  </p>
51  distribute, study, change and improve the software.  More precisely,  
52  it refers to four kinds of freedom, for the users of the software:  <ul>
53  <P>    <li>The freedom to run the program, for any purpose (freedom 0).</li>
54      <li>The freedom to study how the program works, and change it so it
55  <UL>        does your computing as you wish (freedom 1). Access to the source
56    <LI>The freedom to run the program, for any purpose (freedom 0).        code is a precondition for this.
57    <LI>The freedom to study how the program works, and adapt it to your needs    </li>
58        (freedom 1).   Access to the source code is a precondition for this.    <li>The freedom to redistribute copies so you can help your neighbor
   <LI>The freedom to redistribute copies so you can help your neighbor  
59        (freedom 2).        (freedom 2).
60    <LI>The freedom to improve the program, and release your improvements    </li>
61       to the public, so that the whole community benefits.    <li>The freedom to distribute copies of your modified versions
62        (freedom 3).   Access to the source code is a precondition for this.        to others (freedom 3).  By doing this you can give the whole
63  </UL>        community a chance to benefit from your changes.
64          Access to the source code is a precondition for this.
65  <P>    </li>
66  A program is free software if users have all of these freedoms.  </ul>
67  Thus, you should be free to redistribute copies, either with or  
68  without modifications, either gratis or charging a fee for  <p>
69  distribution, to <A HREF="#exportcontrol">anyone anywhere</A>.  Being  A program is free software if users have all of these freedoms.  Thus,
70  free to do these things means (among other things) that you do not  you should be free to redistribute copies, either with or without
71  have to ask or pay for permission.  modifications, either gratis or charging a fee for distribution, to
72    <a href="#exportcontrol">anyone anywhere</a>.  Being free to do these
73    things means (among other things) that you do not have to ask or pay
74    for permission to do so.
75    </p>
76    
77  <P>  <p>
78  You should also have the freedom to make modifications and use them  You should also have the freedom to make modifications and use them
79  privately in your own work or play, without even mentioning that they  privately in your own work or play, without even mentioning that they
80  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
81  notify anyone in particular, or in any particular way.  notify anyone in particular, or in any particular way.
82    </p>
83    
84  <P>  <p>
85  The freedom to use a program means the freedom for any kind of person  The freedom to run the program means the freedom for any kind of person
86  or organization to use it on any kind of computer system, for any kind  or organization to use it on any kind of computer system, for any kind of
87  of overall job, and without being required to communicate subsequently  overall job and purpose, without being required to communicate about it
88  with the developer or any other specific entity.  with the developer or any other specific entity.  In this freedom, it is
89    the <em>user's</em> purpose that matters, not the <em>developer's</em>
90    purpose; you as a user are free to run the program for your purposes,
91    and if you distribute it to someone else, she is then free to run it
92    for her purposes, but you are not entitled to impose your purposes on her.
93    </p>
94    
95  <P>  <p>
96  The freedom to redistribute copies must include binary or executable  The freedom to redistribute copies must include binary or executable
97  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
98  unmodified versions.  It is ok if there is no way to produce a binary  unmodified versions.  (Distributing programs in runnable form is necessary
99  or executable form (since some languages don't support that feature),  for conveniently installable free operating systems.)  It is OK if there
100  but you must have the freedom to redistribute such forms should you  is no way to produce a binary or executable form for a certain program
101  find or develop a way to make them.  (since some languages don't support that feature), but you must have the
102    freedom to redistribute such forms should you find or develop a way to
103  <P>  make them.
104  In order for the freedoms to make changes, and to publish improved  </p>
105  versions, to be meaningful, you must have access to the source code of  
106  the program.  Therefore, accessibility of source code is a necessary  <p>
107  condition for free software.  In order for freedoms 1 and 3 (the freedom to make changes and the
108    freedom to publish improved versions) to be meaningful, you must have
109  <P>  access to the source code of the program.  Therefore, accessibility of
110  In order for these freedoms to be real, they must be irrevocable as  source code is a necessary condition for free software.  Obfuscated
111  long as you do nothing wrong; if the developer of the software has the  &ldquo;source code&rdquo; is not real source code and does not count
112  power to revoke the license, without your doing anything to give  as source code.
113  cause, the software is not free.  </p>
114    
115    <p>
116    Freedom 1 includes the freedom to use your changed version in place of
117    the original.  If the program is delivered in a product designed to
118    run someone else's modified versions but refuse to run yours &mdash; a
119    practice known as &ldquo;tivoization&rdquo; or &ldquo;lockdown&rdquo;,
120    or (in its practitioners' perverse terminology) as &ldquo;secure
121    boot&rdquo; &mdash; freedom 1 becomes a theoretical fiction rather
122    than a practical freedom.  This is not sufficient.  In other words,
123    these binaries are not free software even if the source code they are
124    compiled from is free.
125    </p>
126    
127    <p>
128    One important way to modify a program is by merging in available free
129    subroutines and modules.  If the program's license says that you
130    cannot merge in a suitably licensed existing module &mdash; for instance, if it
131    requires you to be the copyright holder of any code you add &mdash; then the
132    license is too restrictive to qualify as free.
133    </p>
134    
135    <p>
136    Freedom 3 includes the freedom to release your modified versions
137    as free software.  A free license may also permit other ways of
138    releasing them; in other words, it does not have to be
139    a <a href="/copyleft/copyleft.html">copyleft</a> license.  However, a
140    license that requires modified versions to be nonfree does not qualify
141    as a free license.
142    </p>
143    
144    <p>
145    In order for these freedoms to be real, they must be permanent and
146    irrevocable as long as you do nothing wrong; if the developer of the
147    software has the power to revoke the license, or retroactively change
148    its terms, without your doing anything wrong to give cause, the
149    software is not free.
150    </p>
151    
152  <P>  <p>
153  However, certain kinds of rules about the manner of distributing free  However, certain kinds of rules about the manner of distributing free
154  software are acceptable, when they don't conflict with the central  software are acceptable, when they don't conflict with the central
155  freedoms.  For example, copyleft (very simply stated) is the rule that  freedoms.  For example, copyleft (very simply stated) is the rule that
156  when redistributing the program, you cannot add restrictions to deny  when redistributing the program, you cannot add restrictions to deny
157  other people the central freedoms.  This rule does not conflict with  other people the central freedoms.  This rule does not conflict with
158  the central freedoms; rather it protects them.  the central freedoms; rather it protects them.
159    </p>
160    
161  <P>  <p>
162  Thus, you may have paid money to get copies of GNU software, or you  &ldquo;Free software&rdquo; does not mean &ldquo;noncommercial&rdquo;.  A free
163  may have obtained copies at no charge.  But regardless of how you got  program must be available for commercial use, commercial development,
164  your copies, you always have the freedom to copy and change the  and commercial distribution.  Commercial development of free software
165  software, even to <A HREF="/philosophy/selling.html">sell copies</A>.  is no longer unusual; such free commercial software is very important.
166  <P>  You may have paid money to get copies of free software, or you may have
167    obtained copies at no charge.  But regardless of how you got your copies,
168  ``Free software'' does not mean ``non-commercial''.  A free program  you always have the freedom to copy and change the software, even to
169  must be available for commercial use, commercial development, and  <a href="/philosophy/selling.html">sell copies</a>.
170  commercial distribution.  Commercial development of free software is  </p>
171  no longer unusual; such free commercial software is very important.  
172    <p>
173  <P>  Whether a change constitutes an improvement is a subjective matter.
174  Rules about how to package a modified version are acceptable, if they  If your modifications are limited, in substance, to changes that
175  don't effectively block your freedom to release modified versions.  someone else considers an improvement, that is not freedom.
176  Rules that ``if you make the program available in this way, you must  </p>
177  make it available in that way also'' can be acceptable too, on the  
178  same condition.  (Note that such a rule still leaves you the choice of  <p>
179  whether to publish the program or not.)  It is also acceptable for the  However, rules about how to package a modified version are acceptable,
180  license to require that, if you have distributed a modified version  if they don't substantively limit your freedom to release modified
181  and a previous developer asks for a copy of it, you must send one.  versions, or your freedom to make and use modified versions privately.
182    Thus, it is acceptable for the license to require that you change the
183  <P>  name of the modified version, remove a logo, or identify your
184  In the GNU project, we use <A HREF="/copyleft/copyleft.html">  modifications as yours.  As long as these requirements are not so
185  ``copyleft''</A> to protect these freedoms legally for everyone.  But  burdensome that they effectively hamper you from releasing your
186  <A HREF="/philosophy/categories.html#Non-CopyleftedFreeSoftware">  changes, they are acceptable; you're already making other changes to
187  non-copylefted free software</A> also exists.  We believe there are  the program, so you won't have trouble making a few more.
188  important reasons why <A HREF="/philosophy/pragmatic.html"> it is  </p>
189  better to use copyleft</A>, but if your program is non-copylefted free  
190  software, we can still use it.  <p>
191    A special issue arises when a license requires changing the name by
192  <P>  which the program will be invoked from other programs.  That
193  See <A HREF="/philosophy/categories.html">Categories of Free Software  effectively hampers you from releasing your changed version so that it
194         (18k characters)</A>  can replace the original when invoked by those other programs.  This
195  for a description of how ``free software,'' ``copylefted software'' and  sort of requirement is acceptable only if there's an suitable aliasing
196  other categories of software relate to each other.  facility that allows you to specify the original program's name as an
197    alias for the modified version.</p>
198  <P>  
199  Sometimes government <A NAME="exportcontrol">export control  <p>
200  regulations</A> and trade sanctions can constrain your freedom to  Rules that &ldquo;if you make your version available in this way, you
201  distribute copies of programs internationally.  Software developers do  must make it available in that way also&rdquo; can be acceptable too,
202  not have the power to eliminate or override these restrictions, but  on the same condition.  An example of such an acceptable rule is one
203  what they can and must do is refuse to impose them as conditions of  saying that if you have distributed a
204  use of the program.  In this way, the restrictions will not affect  modified version and a previous developer asks for a copy of it, you
205  activities and people outside the jurisdictions of these governments.  must send one.  (Note that such a rule still leaves you the choice of
206    whether to distribute your version at all.)  Rules that require release
207  <P>  of source code to the users for versions that you put into public use
208  When talking about free software, it is best to avoid using terms like  are also acceptable.
209  ``give away'' or ``for free'', because those terms imply that the  </p>
210  issue is about price, not freedom.  Some common terms such as  
211  ``piracy'' embody opinions we hope you won't endorse.  See <A  <p>
212  HREF="/philosophy/words-to-avoid.html">Confusing Words and Phrases  In the GNU project, we use
213  that are Worth Avoiding</A> for a discussion of these terms.  <a href="/copyleft/copyleft.html">copyleft</a>
214  We also have a list of <A HREF="/philosophy/fs-translations.html">translations  to protect these freedoms legally for everyone.  But
215  of "free software"</A> into various languages.  <a href="/philosophy/categories.html#Non-CopyleftedFreeSoftware">noncopylefted
216    free software</a> also exists.  We believe there are important reasons why
217  <P>  <a href="/philosophy/pragmatic.html">it is better to use copyleft</a>,
218    but if your program is noncopylefted free software, it is still basically
219    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.)
220    </p>
221    
222    <p>
223    Sometimes government <a id="exportcontrol">export control regulations</a>
224    and trade sanctions can constrain your freedom to distribute copies of
225    programs internationally.  Software developers do not have the power to
226    eliminate or override these restrictions, but what they can and must do
227    is refuse to impose them as conditions of use of the program.  In this
228    way, the restrictions will not affect activities and people outside the
229    jurisdictions of these governments.  Thus, free software licenses
230    must not require obedience to any export regulations as a condition of
231    any of the essential freedoms.
232    </p>
233    
234    <p>
235    Most free software licenses are based on copyright, and there are limits
236    on what kinds of requirements can be imposed through copyright.  If a
237    copyright-based license respects freedom in the ways described above, it
238    is unlikely to have some other sort of problem that we never anticipated
239    (though this does happen occasionally).  However, some free software
240    licenses are based on contracts, and contracts can impose a much larger
241    range of possible restrictions.  That means there are many possible ways
242    such a license could be unacceptably restrictive and nonfree.
243    </p>
244    
245    <p>
246    We can't possibly list all the ways that might happen.  If a
247    contract-based license restricts the user in an unusual way that
248    copyright-based licenses cannot, and which isn't mentioned here as
249    legitimate, we will have to think about it, and we will probably conclude
250    it is nonfree.
251    </p>
252    
253    <p>
254    When talking about free software, it is best to avoid using terms
255    like &ldquo;give away&rdquo; or &ldquo;for free,&rdquo; because those terms imply that
256    the issue is about price, not freedom.  Some common terms such
257    as &ldquo;piracy&rdquo; embody opinions we hope you won't endorse.  See
258    <a href="/philosophy/words-to-avoid.html">Confusing Words and Phrases that
259    are Worth Avoiding</a> for a discussion of these terms.  We also have
260    a list of proper <a href="/philosophy/fs-translations.html">translations of
261    &ldquo;free software&rdquo;</a> into various languages.
262    </p>
263    
264    <p>
265  Finally, note that criteria such as those stated in this free software  Finally, note that criteria such as those stated in this free software
266  definition require careful thought for their interpretation.  To  definition require careful thought for their interpretation.  To decide
267  decide whether a specific software license qualifies as a free  whether a specific software license qualifies as a free software license,
268  software license, we judge it based on these criteria to determine  we judge it based on these criteria to determine whether it fits their
269  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
270  license includes unconscionable restrictions, we reject it, even if we  restrictions, we reject it, even if we did not anticipate the issue
271  did not anticipate the issue in these criteria.  Sometimes a license  in these criteria.  Sometimes a license requirement raises an issue
272  requirement raises an issue that calls for extensive thought,  that calls for extensive thought, including discussions with a lawyer,
273  including discussions with a lawyer, before we can decide if the  before we can decide if the requirement is acceptable.  When we reach
274  requirement is acceptable.  When we reach a conclusion about a new  a conclusion about a new issue, we often update these criteria to make
275  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.
276  certain licenses do or don't qualify.  </p>
277    
278  <P>  <p>
279    If you are interested in whether a specific license qualifies as a free
280  If you are interested in whether a specific license qualifies as a  software license, see our <a href="/licenses/license-list.html">list
281  free software license, see our <A  of licenses</a>.  If the license you are concerned with is not
282  HREF="/licenses/license-list.html">list of licenses</A>.  If the  listed there, you can ask us about it by sending us email at
283  license you are concerned with is not listed there, you can ask us  <a href="mailto:licensing@gnu.org">&lt;licensing@gnu.org&gt;</a>.
284  about it by sending us email at <A  </p>
285  HREF="mailto:licensing@gnu.org">&lt;licensing@gnu.org&gt;</A>.  
286    <p>
287  <HR>  If you are contemplating writing a new license, please contact the
288    Free Software Foundation first by writing to that address. The
289  <H4><A HREF="/philosophy/philosophy.html">Other Texts to Read</A></H4>  proliferation of different free software licenses means increased work
290    for users in understanding the licenses; we may be able to help you
291  <P>  find an existing free software license that meets your needs.
292  Another group has started using the term "open source" to mean  </p>
293  something close (but not identical) to "free software".  We prefer the  
294  term "free software" because, once you have heard it refers to freedom  <p>
295  rather than price, <A HREF="free-software-for-freedom.html">it calls  If that isn't possible, if you really need a new license, with our
296  to mind freedom</A>.  help you can ensure that the license really is a free software license
297    and avoid various practical problems.
298  <HR>  </p>
299  [  
300  <!-- Please keep this list alphabetical -->  <h2 id="beyond-software">Beyond Software</h2>
301  <!-- PLEASE UPDATE THE LIST AT THE BOTTOM (OR TOP) OF THE PAGE TOO! -->  
302    <A HREF="/philosophy/free-sw.hr.html">Croatian</A>  <p>
303  | <A HREF="/philosophy/free-sw.nl.html">Dutch</A>  <a href="/philosophy/free-doc.html">Software manuals must be free</a>,
304  | <A HREF="/philosophy/free-sw.html">English</A>  for the same reasons that software must be free, and because the
305  | <A HREF="/philosophy/free-sw.fr.html">French</A>  manuals are in effect part of the software.
306  | <A HREF="/philosophy/free-sw.gl.html">Galician</A>  </p>
307  | <A HREF="/philosophy/free-sw.de.html">German</A>  
308  | <A HREF="/philosophy/free-sw.hu.html">Hungarian</A>  <p>
309  | <A HREF="/philosophy/free-sw.id.html">Indonesian</A>  The same arguments also make sense for other kinds of works of
310  | <A HREF="/philosophy/free-sw.it.html">Italian</A>  practical use &mdash; that is to say, works that embody useful knowledge,
311  | <A HREF="/philosophy/free-sw.ja.html">Japanese</A>  such as educational works and reference
312  | <A HREF="/philosophy/free-sw.ko.html">Korean</A>  works.  <a href="http://wikipedia.org">Wikipedia</a> is the best-known
313  | <A HREF="/philosophy/free-sw.no.html">Norwegian</A>  example.
314  | <A HREF="/philosophy/free-sw.pl.html">Polish</A>  </p>
315  | <A HREF="/philosophy/free-sw.pt.html">Portuguese</A>  
316  | <A HREF="/philosophy/free-sw.ru.html">Russian</A>  <p>
317  | <A HREF="/philosophy/free-sw.sl.html">Slovenian</A>        Any kind of work <em>can</em> be free, and the definition of free software
318  | <A HREF="/philosophy/free-sw.es.html">Spanish</A>  has been extended to a definition of <a href="http://freedomdefined.org/">
319  | <A HREF="/philosophy/free-sw.tr.html">Turkish</A>  free cultural works</a> applicable to any kind of works.
320  <!-- Please keep this list alphabetical -->  </p>
321  <!-- PLEASE UPDATE THE LIST AT THE BOTTOM (OR TOP) OF THE PAGE TOO! -->  
322  ]  <h2 id="open-source">Open Source?</h2>
323  <P>  
324  Return to <A HREF="/home.html">GNU's home page</A>.  <p>
325  <P>  Another group has started using the term &ldquo;open source&rdquo; to mean
326    something close (but not identical) to &ldquo;free software&rdquo;.  We
327  Please send FSF &amp; GNU inquiries &amp; questions to  prefer the term &ldquo;free software&rdquo; because, once you have heard that
328    it refers to freedom rather than price, it calls to mind freedom.  The
329  <A HREF="mailto:gnu@gnu.org"><EM>gnu@gnu.org</EM></A>.  word &ldquo;open&rdquo; <a href="/philosophy/open-source-misses-the-point.html">
330  There are also <A HREF="/home.html#ContactInfo">other ways to  never refers to freedom</a>.
331  contact</A> the FSF.  </p>
332  <P>  
333    <h2 id="History">History</h2>
334  Please send comments on these web pages to  
335    <p>From time to time we revise this Free Software Definition.  Here is
336  <A HREF="mailto:webmasters@gnu.org"><EM>webmasters@gnu.org</EM></A>,  the list of changes, along with links to show exactly what was
337  send other questions to  changed.</p>
338  <A HREF="mailto:gnu@gnu.org"><EM>gnu@gnu.org</EM></A>.  
339  <P>  <ul>
340  Copyright (C) 1996, 1997, 1998, 1999, 2000, 2001 Free Software Foundation, Inc.,  
341  59 Temple Place - Suite 330, Boston, MA  02111,  USA  <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
342  <P>  1.105</a>: Reflect, in the brief statement of freedom 1, the point
343  Verbatim copying and distribution of this entire article is  (already stated in version 1.80) that it includes really using your modified
344  permitted in any medium, provided this notice is preserved.  version for your computing.</li>
345  <P>  
346    <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
347    1.92</a>: Clarify that obfuscated code does not qualify as source code.</li>
348    
349    <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
350    1.90</a>: Clarify that freedom 3 means the right to distribute copies
351    of your own modified or improved version, not a right to participate
352    in someone else's development project.</li>
353    
354    <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
355    1.89</a>: Freedom 3 includes the right to release modified versions as
356    free software.</li>
357    
358    <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
359    1.80</a>: Freedom 1 must be practical, not just theoretical;
360    i.e., no tivoization.</li>
361    
362    <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
363    1.77</a>: Clarify that all retroactive changes to the license are
364    unacceptable, even if it's not described as a complete
365    replacement.</li>
366    
367    <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
368    1.74</a>: Four clarifications of points not explicit enough, or stated
369    in some places but not reflected everywhere:
370    <ul>
371    <li>"Improvements" does not mean the license can
372    substantively limit what kinds of modified versions you can release.
373    Freedom 3 includes distributing modified versions, not just changes.</li>
374    <li>The right to merge in existing modules
375    refers to those that are suitably licensed.</li>
376    <li>Explicitly state the conclusion of the point about export controls.</li>
377    <li>Imposing a license change constitutes revoking the old license.</li>
378    </ul>
379    </li>
380    
381    <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
382    1.57</a>: Add &quot;Beyond Software&quot; section.</li>
383    
384    <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
385    1.46</a>: Clarify whose purpose is significant in the freedom to run
386    the program for any purpose.</li>
387    
388    <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
389    1.41</a>: Clarify wording about contract-based licenses.</li>
390    
391    <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
392    1.40</a>: Explain that a free license must allow to you use other
393    available free software to create your modifications.</li>
394    
395    <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
396    1.39</a>: Note that it is acceptable for a license to require you to
397    provide source for versions of the software you put into public
398    use.</li>
399    
400    <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
401    1.31</a>: Note that it is acceptable for a license to require you to
402    identify yourself as the author of modifications.  Other minor
403    clarifications throughout the text.</li>
404    
405    <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
406    1.23</a>: Address potential problems related to contract-based
407    licenses.</li>
408    
409    <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
410    1.16</a>: Explain why distribution of binaries is important.</li>
411    
412    <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
413    1.11</a>: Note that a free license may require you to send a copy of
414    versions you distribute to the author.</li>
415    
416    </ul>
417    
418    <p>There are gaps in the version numbers shown above because there are
419    other changes in this page that do not affect the definition as such.
420    These changes are in other parts of the page.  You can review the
421    complete list of changes to the page through
422    the <a href="http://web.cvs.savannah.gnu.org/viewvc/www/philosophy/free-sw.html?root=www&amp;view=log">cvsweb
423    interface</a>.</p>
424    
425    </div>
426    
427    <!--#include virtual="/server/footer.html" -->
428    
429    <div id="footer">
430    
431    <p>
432    Please send FSF &amp; GNU inquiries to
433    <a href="mailto:gnu@gnu.org">&lt;gnu@gnu.org&gt;</a>.
434    There are also <a href="/contact/">other ways to contact</a>
435    the FSF.
436    <br />
437    Please send broken links and other corrections or suggestions to
438    <a href="mailto:webmasters@gnu.org">&lt;webmasters@gnu.org&gt;</a>.
439    </p>
440    
441    <p>
442    Please see the
443    <a href="/server/standards/README.translations.html">Translations
444    README</a> for information on coordinating and submitting
445    translations of this article.
446    </p>
447    
448    <p>
449    Copyright &copy; 1996, 1997, 1998, 1999, 2000, 2001, 2002, 2004,
450    2005, 2006, 2007, 2009, 2010 Free Software Foundation, Inc.
451    </p>
452    <p>This page is licensed under a <a rel="license"
453    href="http://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-nd/3.0/us/">Creative
454    Commons Attribution-NoDerivs 3.0 United States License</a>.
455    </p>
456    
457    <p>
458  Updated:  Updated:
459  <!-- timestamp start -->  <!-- timestamp start -->
460  $Date$ $Author$  $Date$
461  <!-- timestamp end -->  <!-- timestamp end -->
462  <HR>  </p>
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487    <!-- <li><a href="/philosophy/free-sw.ar.html">&#1575;&#1604;&#1593;&#1585;&#1576;&#1610;&#1577;</a>&nbsp;[ar]</li> -->
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