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6    <title>What is Free Software?
7    - GNU Project - Free Software Foundation</title>
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20    <div class="article reduced-width">
21    <h2>What is Free Software?</h2>
22    <div class="thin"></div>
23    
24  <title>What is free software? - GNU Project - Free Software Foundation (FSF)</title>  <div class="important">
25    <p>
26    &ldquo;Free software&rdquo; means software that respects users'
27    freedom and community.  Roughly, it means that <b>the users have the
28    freedom to run, copy, distribute, study, change and improve the
29    software</b>.  Thus, &ldquo;free software&rdquo; is a matter of
30    liberty, not price.  To understand the concept, you should think of
31    &ldquo;free&rdquo; as in &ldquo;free speech,&rdquo; not as in
32    &ldquo;free beer.&rdquo;  We sometimes call it &ldquo;libre
33    software,&rdquo; borrowing the French or Spanish word for
34    &ldquo;free&rdquo; as in freedom, to show we do not mean the software
35    is gratis.
36    </p>
37    
38  <meta http-equiv="Keywords" content="GNU, FSF, Free Software Foundation, Linux, Emacs, GCC, Unix, Free Software, Operating System, GNU Kernel, HURD, GNU HURD, Hurd" />  <p>
39  <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." />  You may have paid money to get copies of a free program, or you may
40  <link rel="alternate" title="What's New" href="http://www.gnu.org/rss/whatsnew.rss" type="application/rss+xml" />  have obtained copies at no charge.  But regardless of how you got your
41  <link rel="alternate" title="New Free Software" href="http://www.gnu.org/rss/quagga.rss" type="application/rss+xml" />  copies, you always have the freedom to copy and change the software,
42    even to <a href="/philosophy/selling.html">sell copies</a>.
43    </p>
44    </div>
45    
46  <!--#include virtual="/server/banner.html" -->  <p>
47  <!--#include virtual="/philosophy/po/free-sw.translist" -->  We campaign for these freedoms because everyone deserves them.  With
48    these freedoms, the users (both individually and collectively) control
49    the program and what it does for them.  When users don't control the
50    program, we call it a &ldquo;nonfree&rdquo; or
51    &ldquo;proprietary&rdquo; program.  The nonfree program controls the
52    users, and the developer controls the program; this makes the
53    program <a href="/philosophy/free-software-even-more-important.html">
54    an instrument of unjust power</a>.
55    </p>
56    
57  <h2>What is free software?</h2>  <p>
58    &ldquo;Open source&rdquo; is something different: it has a very
59    different philosophy based on different values.  Its practical
60    definition is different too, but nearly all open source programs are
61    in fact free.  We explain the
62    difference in <a href="/philosophy/open-source-misses-the-point.html">
63    Why &ldquo;Open Source&rdquo; misses the point of Free Software</a>.
64    </p>
65    
66    <div class="toc">
67    <hr class="no-display" />
68    <h3 class="no-display">Table of contents</h3>
69    <ul>
70     <li><a href="#fs-definition">The Free Software Definition</a>
71      <ul>
72       <li><a href="#four-freedoms">The four essential freedoms</a></li>
73       <li><a href="#selling">Free software <em>can</em> be commercial</a></li>
74      </ul>
75     </li>
76     <li><a href="#clarifying">Clarifying the Boundary Between Free and Nonfree</a>
77      <ul>
78       <li><a href="#run-the-program">The freedom to run the program as you
79         wish</a></li>
80       <li><a href="#make-changes">The freedom to study the source code and make
81         changes</a></li>
82       <li><a href="#redistribute">The freedom to redistribute if you wish:
83         basic requirements</a></li>
84       <li><a href="#copyleft">Copyleft</a></li>
85       <li><a href="#packaging">Rules about packaging and distribution
86         details</a></li>
87       <li><a href="#exportcontrol">Export regulations</a></li>
88       <li><a href="#legal-details">Legal considerations</a></li>
89       <li><a href="#contracts">Contract-based licenses</a></li>
90      </ul>
91     </li>
92     <li><a href="#in-practice">The Free Software Definition in Practice</a>
93      <ul>
94       <li><a href="#interpretation">How we interpret these criteria</a></li>
95       <li><a href="#get-help">Get help with free licenses</a></li>
96       <li><a href="#terminology">Use the right words when talking about free
97         software</a></li>
98      </ul>
99     </li>
100     <li><a href="#beyond-software">Beyond Software</a></li>
101     <li><a href="#History">History</a></li>
102    </ul>
103    </div>
104    
105    <div class="edu-note" id="fsf-licensing" role="complementary">
106    <p style="font-size:80%">
107    Have a question about free software licensing not answered here?
108    See our other <a href="http://www.fsf.org/licensing">licensing resources</a>,
109    and if necessary contact the FSF Compliance Lab
110    at <a href="mailto:licensing@fsf.org">licensing@fsf.org</a>.</p>
111    <hr class="no-display" />
112    </div>
113    
 <h3>The Free Software Definition</h3>  
114    
115  <blockquote>  <h3 id="fs-definition">The Free Software Definition</h3>
116    
117    <p>
118  The free software definition presents the criteria for whether a  The free software definition presents the criteria for whether a
119  particular software program qualifies as free software.  From time to  particular software program qualifies as free software.  From time to
120  time we revise this definition, to clarify it or to resolve questions  time we revise this definition, to clarify it or to resolve questions
121  about subtle issues.  See the <a href="#History">History section</a>  about subtle issues.  See the <a href="#History">History section</a>
122  below for a list of changes that affect the definition of free  below for a list of changes that affect the definition of free
123  software.  software.
 </blockquote>  
   
 <p>  
 &ldquo;Free software&rdquo; means software that respects users'  
 freedom and community.  Roughly, the users have the freedom to run,  
 copy, distribute, study, change and improve the software.  With these  
 freedoms, the users (both individually and collectively) control the  
 program and what it does for them.  
 </p>  
   
 <p>  
 When users don't control the program, the program controls the users.  
 The developer controls the program, and through it controls the users.  
 This nonfree or &ldquo;proprietary&rdquo; program is therefore an  
 instrument of unjust power.  
 </p>  
   
 <p>  
 Thus, &ldquo;free software&rdquo; is a matter of liberty, not price.  
 To understand the concept, you should think of &ldquo;free&rdquo; as  
 in &ldquo;free speech,&rdquo; not as in &ldquo;free beer&rdquo;.  
124  </p>  </p>
125    
126    <h4 id="four-freedoms">The four essential freedoms</h4>
127  <p>  <p>
128  A program is free software if the program's users have the  A program is free software if the program's users have the
129  four essential freedoms:  four essential freedoms: <a href="#f1">[1]</a>
130  </p>  </p>
131    
132  <ul>  <ul class="important">
133    <li>The freedom to run the program, for any purpose (freedom 0).</li>    <li>The freedom to run the program as you wish,
134          for any purpose (freedom 0).</li>
135    <li>The freedom to study how the program works, and change it so it    <li>The freedom to study how the program works, and change it so it
136        does your computing as you wish (freedom 1). Access to the source        does your computing as you wish (freedom 1). Access to the source
137        code is a precondition for this.        code is a precondition for this.
138    </li>    </li>
139    <li>The freedom to redistribute copies so you can help your neighbor    <li>The freedom to redistribute copies so you can help others
140        (freedom 2).        (freedom 2).
141    </li>    </li>
142    <li>The freedom to distribute copies of your modified versions    <li>The freedom to distribute copies of your modified versions
# Line 66  four essential freedoms: Line 147  four essential freedoms:
147  </ul>  </ul>
148    
149  <p>  <p>
150  A program is free software if users have all of these freedoms.  Thus,  A program is free software if it gives users adequately all of these
151  you should be free to redistribute copies, either with or without  freedoms.  Otherwise, it is nonfree.  While we can distinguish various
152  modifications, either gratis or charging a fee for distribution, to  nonfree distribution schemes in terms of how far they fall short of
153  <a href="#exportcontrol">anyone anywhere</a>.  Being free to do these  being free, we consider them all equally unethical.</p>
154  things means (among other things) that you do not have to ask or pay  
155  for permission to do so.  <p>In any given scenario, these freedoms must apply to whatever code
156    we plan to make use of, or lead others to make use of.  For instance,
157    consider a program A which automatically launches a program B to
158    handle some cases.  If we plan to distribute A as it stands, that
159    implies users will need B, so we need to judge whether both A and B
160    are free.  However, if we plan to modify A so that it doesn't use B,
161    only A needs to be free; B is not pertinent to that plan.</p>
162    
163    
164    <h4 id="selling">Free software <em>can</em> be commercial</h4>
165    
166    <p>
167    &ldquo;Free software&rdquo; does not mean &ldquo;noncommercial.&rdquo;
168    On the contrary, a free program must be available for commercial use,
169    commercial development, and commercial distribution.  This policy is
170    of fundamental importance&mdash;without this, free software could not
171    achieve its aims.
172  </p>  </p>
173    
174  <p>  <p>
175  You should also have the freedom to make modifications and use them  We want to invite everyone to use the GNU system, including businesses
176  privately in your own work or play, without even mentioning that they  and their workers.  That requires allowing commercial use.  We hope
177  exist.  If you do publish your changes, you should not be required to  that free replacement programs will supplant comparable proprietary
178  notify anyone in particular, or in any particular way.  programs, but they can't do that if businesses are forbidden to use
179    them.  We want commercial products that contain software to include
180    the GNU system, and that would constitute commercial distribution for
181    a price.  Commercial development of free software is no longer
182    unusual; such free commercial software is very important.  Paid,
183    professional support for free software fills an important need.
184  </p>  </p>
185    
186  <p>  <p>
187    Thus, to exclude commercial use, commercial development or commercial
188    distribution would hobble the free software community and obstruct its
189    path to success.  We must conclude that a program licensed with such
190    restrictions does not qualify as free software.
191    </p>
192    
193    <p>
194    A free program must offer the four freedoms to any would-be user that
195    obtains a copy of the software, who has complied thus far with the
196    conditions of the free license covering the software in any previous
197    distribution of it.  Putting some of the freedoms off limits to some
198    users, or requiring that users pay, in money or in kind, to exercise
199    them, is tantamount to not granting the freedoms in question, and thus
200    renders the program nonfree.
201    </p>
202    
203    
204    <h3 id="clarifying">Clarifying the Boundary Between Free and Nonfree</h3>
205    
206    <p>In the rest of this article we explain more precisely how far the
207    various freedoms need to extend, on various issues, in order for a
208    program to be free.</p>
209    
210    <h4 id="run-the-program">The freedom to run the program as you wish</h4>
211    
212    <p>
213  The freedom to run the program means the freedom for any kind of person  The freedom to run the program means the freedom for any kind of person
214  or organization to use it on any kind of computer system, for any kind of  or organization to use it on any kind of computer system, for any kind of
215  overall job and purpose, without being required to communicate about it  overall job and purpose, without being required to communicate about it
216  with the developer or any other specific entity.  In this freedom, it is  with the developer or any other specific entity.  In this freedom, it is
217  the <em>user's</em> purpose that matters, not the <em>developer's</em>  the <em>user's</em> purpose that matters, not the <em>developer's</em>
218  purpose; you as a user are free to run the program for your purposes,  purpose; you as a user are free to run the program for your purposes,
219  and if you distribute it to someone else, she is then free to run it  and if you distribute it to other people, they are then free to run it for
220  for her purposes, but you are not entitled to impose your purposes on her.  their purposes, but you are not entitled to impose your purposes on them.
221  </p>  </p>
222    
223  <p>  <p>
224  The freedom to redistribute copies must include binary or executable  The freedom to run the program as you wish means that you are not
225  forms of the program, as well as source code, for both modified and  forbidden or stopped from making it run.  This has nothing to do with what
226  unmodified versions.  (Distributing programs in runnable form is necessary  functionality the program has, whether it is technically capable of
227  for conveniently installable free operating systems.)  It is OK if there  functioning in any given environment, or whether it is useful for any
228  is no way to produce a binary or executable form for a certain program  particular computing activity.</p>
229  (since some languages don't support that feature), but you must have the  
230  freedom to redistribute such forms should you find or develop a way to  <p>For example, if the code arbitrarily rejects certain meaningful
231  make them.  inputs&mdash;or even fails unconditionally&mdash;that may make the
232  </p>  program less useful, perhaps even totally useless, but it does not
233    deny users the freedom to run the program, so it does not conflict
234    with freedom 0.  If the program is free, the users can overcome the
235    loss of usefulness, because freedoms 1 and 3 permit users and
236    communities to make and distribute modified versions without the
237    arbitrary nuisance code.</p>
238    
239    <p>&ldquo;As you wish&rdquo; includes, optionally, &ldquo;not at
240    all&rdquo; if that is what you wish.  So there is no need for a
241    separate &ldquo;freedom not to run a program.&rdquo;</p>
242    
243    <h4 id="make-changes">The freedom to study the source code and make changes</h4>
244    
245  <p>  <p>
246  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
247  freedom to publish improved versions) to be meaningful, you must have  freedom to publish the changed versions) to be meaningful, you need to have
248  access to the source code of the program.  Therefore, accessibility of  access to the source code of the program.  Therefore, accessibility of
249  source code is a necessary condition for free software.  Obfuscated  source code is a necessary condition for free software.  Obfuscated
250  &ldquo;source code&rdquo; is not real source code and does not count  &ldquo;source code&rdquo; is not real source code and does not count
# Line 113  as source code. Line 252  as source code.
252  </p>  </p>
253    
254  <p>  <p>
255    Source code is defined as the preferred form of the program for making
256    changes in.  Thus, whatever form a developer changes to develop
257    the program is the source code of that developer's version.
258    </p>
259    
260    <p>
261  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
262  the original.  If the program is delivered in a product designed to  the original.  If the program is delivered in a product designed to
263  run someone else's modified versions but refuse to run yours &mdash; a  run someone else's modified versions but refuse to run yours&mdash;a
264  practice known as &ldquo;tivoization&rdquo; or &ldquo;lockdown&rdquo;,  practice known as &ldquo;tivoization&rdquo; or &ldquo;lockdown,&rdquo;
265  or (in its practitioners' perverse terminology) as &ldquo;secure  or (in its practitioners' perverse terminology) as &ldquo;secure
266  boot&rdquo; &mdash; freedom 1 becomes a theoretical fiction rather  boot&rdquo;&mdash;freedom 1 becomes an empty pretense rather than a
267  than a practical freedom.  This is not sufficient.  In other words,  practical reality.  These binaries are not free
268  these binaries are not free software even if the source code they are  software even if the source code they are compiled from is free.
 compiled from is free.  
269  </p>  </p>
270    
271  <p>  <p>
272  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
273  subroutines and modules.  If the program's license says that you  subroutines and modules.  If the program's license says that you
274  cannot merge in a suitably licensed existing module &mdash; for instance, if it  cannot merge in a suitably licensed existing module&mdash;for instance, if it
275  requires you to be the copyright holder of any code you add &mdash; then the  requires you to be the copyright holder of any code you add&mdash;then the
276  license is too restrictive to qualify as free.  license is too restrictive to qualify as free.
277  </p>  </p>
278    
279  <p>  <p>
280    Whether a change constitutes an improvement is a subjective matter.
281    If your right to modify a program is limited, in substance, to changes that
282    someone else considers an improvement, that program is not free.
283    </p>
284    
285    <p>
286    One special case of freedom 1 is to delete the program's code so it
287    returns after doing nothing, or make it invoke some other program.
288    Thus, freedom 1 includes the &ldquo;freedom to delete the program.&rdquo;
289    </p>
290    
291    <h4 id="redistribute">The freedom to redistribute if you wish: basic
292    requirements</h4>
293    
294    <p>Freedom to distribute (freedoms 2 and 3) means you are free to
295    redistribute copies, either with or without modifications, either
296    gratis or charging a fee for distribution, to
297    <a href="#exportcontrol">anyone anywhere</a>.  Being free to do these
298    things means (among other things) that you do not have to ask or pay
299    for permission to do so.
300    </p>
301    
302    <p>
303    You should also have the freedom to make modifications and use them
304    privately in your own work or play, without even mentioning that they
305    exist.  If you do publish your changes, you should not be required to
306    notify anyone in particular, or in any particular way.
307    </p>
308    
309    <p>
310  Freedom 3 includes the freedom to release your modified versions  Freedom 3 includes the freedom to release your modified versions
311  as free software.  A free license may also permit other ways of  as free software.  A free license may also permit other ways of
312  releasing them; in other words, it does not have to be  releasing them; in other words, it does not have to be
313  a <a href="/copyleft/copyleft.html">copyleft</a> license.  However, a  a <a href="/licenses/copyleft.html">copyleft</a> license.  However, a
314  license that requires modified versions to be nonfree does not qualify  license that requires modified versions to be nonfree does not qualify
315  as a free license.  as a free license.
316  </p>  </p>
317    
318  <p>  <p>
319  In order for these freedoms to be real, they must be permanent and  The freedom to redistribute copies must include binary or executable
320  irrevocable as long as you do nothing wrong; if the developer of the  forms of the program, as well as source code, for both modified and
321  software has the power to revoke the license, or retroactively change  unmodified versions.  (Distributing programs in runnable form is necessary
322  its terms, without your doing anything wrong to give cause, the  for conveniently installable free operating systems.)  It is OK if there
323  software is not free.  is no way to produce a binary or executable form for a certain program
324    (since some languages don't support that feature), but you must have the
325    freedom to redistribute such forms should you find or develop a way to
326    make them.
327  </p>  </p>
328    
329    <h4 id="copyleft">Copyleft</h4>
330    
331  <p>  <p>
332  However, certain kinds of rules about the manner of distributing free  Certain kinds of rules about the manner of distributing free
333  software are acceptable, when they don't conflict with the central  software are acceptable, when they don't conflict with the central
334  freedoms.  For example, copyleft (very simply stated) is the rule that  freedoms.  For example, <a href="/licenses/copyleft.html">copyleft</a>
335  when redistributing the program, you cannot add restrictions to deny  (very simply stated) is the rule that when redistributing the program,
336  other people the central freedoms.  This rule does not conflict with  you cannot add restrictions to deny other people the central freedoms.
337  the central freedoms; rather it protects them.  This rule does not conflict with the central freedoms; rather it
338    protects them.
339  </p>  </p>
340    
341  <p>  <p>
342  &ldquo;Free software&rdquo; does not mean &ldquo;noncommercial&rdquo;.  A free  In the GNU project, we use copyleft to protect the four freedoms
343  program must be available for commercial use, commercial development,  legally for everyone.  We believe there are important reasons why
344  and commercial distribution.  Commercial development of free software  <a href="/philosophy/pragmatic.html">it is better to use
345  is no longer unusual; such free commercial software is very important.  copyleft</a>.  However,
346  You may have paid money to get copies of free software, or you may have  <a href="/philosophy/categories.html#Non-CopyleftedFreeSoftware">
347  obtained copies at no charge.  But regardless of how you got your copies,  noncopylefted free software</a> is ethical
348  you always have the freedom to copy and change the software, even to  too.  See <a href="/philosophy/categories.html">Categories of Free
349  <a href="/philosophy/selling.html">sell copies</a>.  Software</a> for a description of how &ldquo;free software,&rdquo;
350    &ldquo;copylefted software&rdquo; and other categories of software
351    relate to each other.
352  </p>  </p>
353    
354  <p>  <h4 id="packaging">Rules about packaging and distribution details</h4>
 Whether a change constitutes an improvement is a subjective matter.  
 If your modifications are limited, in substance, to changes that  
 someone else considers an improvement, that is not freedom.  
 </p>  
355    
356  <p>  <p>
357  However, rules about how to package a modified version are acceptable,  Rules about how to package a modified version are acceptable,
358  if they don't substantively limit your freedom to release modified  if they don't substantively limit your freedom to release modified
359  versions, or your freedom to make and use modified versions privately.  versions, or your freedom to make and use modified versions privately.
360  Thus, it is acceptable for the license to require that you change the  Thus, it is acceptable for the license to require that you change the
# Line 188  the program, so you won't have trouble m Line 366  the program, so you won't have trouble m
366  </p>  </p>
367    
368  <p>  <p>
 A special issue arises when a license requires changing the name by  
 which the program will be invoked from other programs.  That  
 effectively hampers you from releasing your changed version so that it  
 can replace the original when invoked by those other programs.  This  
 sort of requirement is acceptable only if there's an suitable aliasing  
 facility that allows you to specify the original program's name as an  
 alias for the modified version.</p>  
   
 <p>  
369  Rules that &ldquo;if you make your version available in this way, you  Rules that &ldquo;if you make your version available in this way, you
370  must make it available in that way also&rdquo; can be acceptable too,  must make it available in that way also&rdquo; can be acceptable too,
371  on the same condition.  An example of such an acceptable rule is one  on the same condition.  An example of such an acceptable rule is one
# Line 209  are also acceptable. Line 378  are also acceptable.
378  </p>  </p>
379    
380  <p>  <p>
381  In the GNU project, we use  A special issue arises when a license requires changing the name by
382  <a href="/copyleft/copyleft.html">copyleft</a>  which the program will be invoked from other programs.  That
383  to protect these freedoms legally for everyone.  But  effectively hampers you from releasing your changed version so that it
384  <a href="/philosophy/categories.html#Non-CopyleftedFreeSoftware">noncopylefted  can replace the original when invoked by those other programs.  This
385  free software</a> also exists.  We believe there are important reasons why  sort of requirement is acceptable only if there's a suitable aliasing
386  <a href="/philosophy/pragmatic.html">it is better to use copyleft</a>,  facility that allows you to specify the original program's name as an
387  but if your program is noncopylefted free software, it is still basically  alias for the modified version.</p>
388  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.)  
389  </p>  <h4 id="exportcontrol">Export regulations</h4>
390    
391  <p>  <p>
392  Sometimes government <a id="exportcontrol">export control regulations</a>  Sometimes government export control regulations
393  and trade sanctions can constrain your freedom to distribute copies of  and trade sanctions can constrain your freedom to distribute copies of
394  programs internationally.  Software developers do not have the power to  programs internationally.  Software developers do not have the power to
395  eliminate or override these restrictions, but what they can and must do  eliminate or override these restrictions, but what they can and must do
396  is refuse to impose them as conditions of use of the program.  In this  is refuse to impose them as conditions of use of the program.  In this
397  way, the restrictions will not affect activities and people outside the  way, the restrictions will not affect activities and people outside the
398  jurisdictions of these governments.  Thus, free software licenses  jurisdictions of these governments.  Thus, free software licenses
399  must not require obedience to any export regulations as a condition of  must not require obedience to any nontrivial export regulations as a
400  any of the essential freedoms.  condition of exercising any of the essential freedoms.
401    </p>
402    
403    <p>
404    Merely mentioning the existence of export regulations, without making
405    them a condition of the license itself, is acceptable since it does
406    not restrict users.  If an export regulation is actually trivial for
407    free software, then requiring it as a condition is not an actual
408    problem; however, it is a potential problem, since a later change in
409    export law could make the requirement nontrivial and thus render the
410    software nonfree.
411    </p>
412    
413    <h4 id="legal-details">Legal considerations</h4>
414    
415    <p>
416    In order for these freedoms to be real, they must be permanent and
417    irrevocable as long as you do nothing wrong; if the developer of the
418    software has the power to revoke the license, or retroactively add
419    restrictions to its terms, without your doing anything wrong to give
420    cause, the software is not free.
421  </p>  </p>
422    
423  <p>  <p>
424    A free license may not require compliance with the license of a
425    nonfree program.  Thus, for instance, if a license requires you to
426    comply with the licenses of &ldquo;all the programs you use,&rdquo; in
427    the case of a user that runs nonfree programs this would require
428    compliance with the licenses of those nonfree programs; that makes the
429    license nonfree.
430    </p>
431    
432    <p>
433    It is acceptable for a free license to specify which jurisdiction's
434    law applies, or where litigation must be done, or both.
435    </p>
436    
437    <h4 id="contracts">Contract-based licenses</h4>
438    
439    <p>
440  Most free software licenses are based on copyright, and there are limits  Most free software licenses are based on copyright, and there are limits
441  on what kinds of requirements can be imposed through copyright.  If a  on what kinds of requirements can be imposed through copyright.  If a
442  copyright-based license respects freedom in the ways described above, it  copyright-based license respects freedom in the ways described above, it
# Line 250  legitimate, we will have to think about Line 455  legitimate, we will have to think about
455  it is nonfree.  it is nonfree.
456  </p>  </p>
457    
458  <p>  <h3 id="in-practice">The Free Software Definition in Practice</h3>
459  When talking about free software, it is best to avoid using terms  
460  like &ldquo;give away&rdquo; or &ldquo;for free,&rdquo; because those terms imply that  <h4 id="interpretation">How we interpret these criteria</h4>
 the issue is about price, not freedom.  Some common terms such  
 as &ldquo;piracy&rdquo; embody opinions we hope you won't endorse.  See  
 <a href="/philosophy/words-to-avoid.html">Confusing Words and Phrases that  
 are Worth Avoiding</a> for a discussion of these terms.  We also have  
 a list of proper <a href="/philosophy/fs-translations.html">translations of  
 &ldquo;free software&rdquo;</a> into various languages.  
 </p>  
461    
462  <p>  <p>
463  Finally, note that criteria such as those stated in this free software  Note that criteria such as those stated in this free software
464  definition require careful thought for their interpretation.  To decide  definition require careful thought for their interpretation.  To decide
465  whether a specific software license qualifies as a free software license,  whether a specific software license qualifies as a free software license,
466  we judge it based on these criteria to determine whether it fits their  we judge it based on these criteria to determine whether it fits their
# Line 275  a conclusion about a new issue, we often Line 473  a conclusion about a new issue, we often
473  it easier to see why certain licenses do or don't qualify.  it easier to see why certain licenses do or don't qualify.
474  </p>  </p>
475    
476    <h4 id="get-help">Get help with free licenses</h4>
477    
478  <p>  <p>
479  If you are interested in whether a specific license qualifies as a free  If you are interested in whether a specific license qualifies as a free
480  software license, see our <a href="/licenses/license-list.html">list  software license, see our <a href="/licenses/license-list.html">list
# Line 297  help you can ensure that the license rea Line 497  help you can ensure that the license rea
497  and avoid various practical problems.  and avoid various practical problems.
498  </p>  </p>
499    
500  <h2 id="beyond-software">Beyond Software</h2>  <h4 id="terminology">Use the right words when talking about free software</h4>
501    
502    <p>
503    When talking about free software, it is best to avoid using terms
504    like &ldquo;give away&rdquo; or &ldquo;for free,&rdquo; because those terms imply that
505    the issue is about price, not freedom.  Some common terms such
506    as &ldquo;piracy&rdquo; embody opinions we hope you won't endorse.  See
507    <a href="/philosophy/words-to-avoid.html">Confusing Words and Phrases that
508    are Worth Avoiding</a> for a discussion of these terms.  We also have
509    a list of proper <a href="/philosophy/fs-translations.html">translations of
510    &ldquo;free software&rdquo;</a> into various languages.
511    </p>
512    
513    <p id="open-source">
514    Another group uses the term &ldquo;open source&rdquo; to mean
515    something close (but not identical) to &ldquo;free software.&rdquo;  We
516    prefer the term &ldquo;free software&rdquo; because, once you have heard that
517    it refers to freedom rather than price, it calls to mind freedom.  The
518    word &ldquo;open&rdquo; never refers to freedom.
519    </p>
520    
521    <h3 id="beyond-software">Beyond Software</h3>
522    
523  <p>  <p>
524  <a href="/philosophy/free-doc.html">Software manuals must be free</a>,  <a href="/philosophy/free-doc.html">Software manuals must be free</a>,
# Line 307  manuals are in effect part of the softwa Line 528  manuals are in effect part of the softwa
528    
529  <p>  <p>
530  The same arguments also make sense for other kinds of works of  The same arguments also make sense for other kinds of works of
531  practical use &mdash; that is to say, works that embody useful knowledge,  practical use&mdash;that is to say, works that embody useful knowledge,
532  such as educational works and reference  such as educational works and reference
533  works.  <a href="http://wikipedia.org">Wikipedia</a> is the best-known  works.  <a href="https://wikipedia.org">Wikipedia</a> is the best-known
534  example.  example.
535  </p>  </p>
536    
# Line 319  has been extended to a definition of <a Line 540  has been extended to a definition of <a
540  free cultural works</a> applicable to any kind of works.  free cultural works</a> applicable to any kind of works.
541  </p>  </p>
542    
543  <h2 id="open-source">Open Source?</h2>  <h3 id="History">History</h3>
   
 <p>  
 Another group has started using the term &ldquo;open source&rdquo; to mean  
 something close (but not identical) to &ldquo;free software&rdquo;.  We  
 prefer the term &ldquo;free software&rdquo; because, once you have heard that  
 it refers to freedom rather than price, it calls to mind freedom.  The  
 word &ldquo;open&rdquo; <a href="/philosophy/open-source-misses-the-point.html">  
 never refers to freedom</a>.  
 </p>  
   
 <h2 id="History">History</h2>  
544    
545  <p>From time to time we revise this Free Software Definition.  Here is  <p>From time to time we revise this Free Software Definition.  Here is
546  the list of changes, along with links to show exactly what was  the list of substantive changes, along with links to show exactly what
547  changed.</p>  was changed.</p>
548    
549  <ul>  <ul>
550    
551  <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  <li><a href="//web.cvs.savannah.gnu.org/viewvc/www/philosophy/free-sw.html?root=www&amp;r1=1.168&amp;r2=1.169">Version
552    1.169</a>: Explain more clearly why the four freedoms must apply
553    to commercial activity.  Explain why the four freedoms imply the
554    freedom not to run the program and the freedom to delete it, so there
555    is no need to state those as separate requirements.</li>
556    
557    <li><a href="//web.cvs.savannah.gnu.org/viewvc/www/philosophy/free-sw.html?root=www&amp;r1=1.164&amp;r2=1.165">Version
558    1.165</a>: Clarify that arbitrary annoyances in the code do not
559    negate freedom 0, and that freedoms 1 and 3 enable users to remove them.</li>
560    
561    <li><a href="//web.cvs.savannah.gnu.org/viewvc/www/philosophy/free-sw.html?root=www&amp;r1=1.152&amp;r2=1.153">Version
562    1.153</a>: Clarify that freedom to run the program means nothing stops
563    you from making it run.</li>
564    
565    <li><a href="//web.cvs.savannah.gnu.org/viewvc/www/philosophy/free-sw.html?root=www&amp;r1=1.140&amp;r2=1.141">Version
566    1.141</a>: Clarify which code needs to be free.</li>
567    
568    <li><a href="//web.cvs.savannah.gnu.org/viewvc/www/philosophy/free-sw.html?root=www&amp;r1=1.134&amp;r2=1.135">Version
569    1.135</a>: Say each time that freedom 0 is the freedom to run the program
570    as you wish.</li>
571    
572    <li><a href="//web.cvs.savannah.gnu.org/viewvc/www/philosophy/free-sw.html?root=www&amp;r1=1.133&amp;r2=1.134">Version
573    1.134</a>: Freedom 0 is not a matter of the program's functionality.</li>
574    
575    <li><a href="//web.cvs.savannah.gnu.org/viewvc/www/philosophy/free-sw.html?root=www&amp;r1=1.130&amp;r2=1.131">Version
576    1.131</a>: A free license may not require compliance with a nonfree license
577    of another program.</li>
578    
579    <li><a href="//web.cvs.savannah.gnu.org/viewvc/www/philosophy/free-sw.html?root=www&amp;r1=1.128&amp;r2=1.129">Version
580    1.129</a>: State explicitly that choice of law and choice of forum
581    specifications are allowed.  (This was always our policy.)</li>
582    
583    <li><a href="//web.cvs.savannah.gnu.org/viewvc/www/philosophy/free-sw.html?root=www&amp;r1=1.121&amp;r2=1.122">Version
584    1.122</a>: An export control requirement is a real problem if the
585    requirement is nontrivial; otherwise it is only a potential problem.</li>
586    
587    <li><a href="//web.cvs.savannah.gnu.org/viewvc/www/philosophy/free-sw.html?root=www&amp;r1=1.117&amp;r2=1.118">Version
588    1.118</a>: Clarification: the issue is limits on your right to modify,
589    not on what modifications you have made.  And modifications are not limited
590    to &ldquo;improvements&rdquo;</li>
591    
592    <li><a href="//web.cvs.savannah.gnu.org/viewvc/www/philosophy/free-sw.html?root=www&amp;r1=1.110&amp;r2=1.111">Version
593    1.111</a>: Clarify 1.77 by saying that only
594    retroactive <em>restrictions</em> are unacceptable.  The copyright
595    holders can always grant additional <em>permission</em> for use of the
596    work by releasing the work in another way in parallel.</li>
597    
598    <li><a href="//web.cvs.savannah.gnu.org/viewvc/www/philosophy/free-sw.html?root=www&amp;r1=1.104&amp;r2=1.105">Version
599  1.105</a>: Reflect, in the brief statement of freedom 1, the point  1.105</a>: Reflect, in the brief statement of freedom 1, the point
600  (already stated in version 1.80) that it includes really using your modified  (already stated in version 1.80) that it includes really using your modified
601  version for your computing.</li>  version for your computing.</li>
602    
603  <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  <li><a href="//web.cvs.savannah.gnu.org/viewvc/www/philosophy/free-sw.html?root=www&amp;r1=1.91&amp;r2=1.92">Version
604  1.92</a>: Clarify that obfuscated code does not qualify as source code.</li>  1.92</a>: Clarify that obfuscated code does not qualify as source code.</li>
605    
606  <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  <li><a href="//web.cvs.savannah.gnu.org/viewvc/www/philosophy/free-sw.html?root=www&amp;r1=1.89&amp;r2=1.90">Version
607  1.90</a>: Clarify that freedom 3 means the right to distribute copies  1.90</a>: Clarify that freedom 3 means the right to distribute copies
608  of your own modified or improved version, not a right to participate  of your own modified or improved version, not a right to participate
609  in someone else's development project.</li>  in someone else's development project.</li>
610    
611  <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="//web.cvs.savannah.gnu.org/viewvc/www/philosophy/free-sw.html?root=www&amp;r1=1.88&amp;r2=1.89">Version
612  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
613  free software.</li>  free software.</li>
614    
615  <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="//web.cvs.savannah.gnu.org/viewvc/www/philosophy/free-sw.html?root=www&amp;r1=1.79&amp;r2=1.80">Version
616  1.80</a>: Freedom 1 must be practical, not just theoretical;  1.80</a>: Freedom 1 must be practical, not just theoretical;
617  i.e., no tivoization.</li>  i.e., no tivoization.</li>
618    
619  <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  <li><a href="//web.cvs.savannah.gnu.org/viewvc/www/philosophy/free-sw.html?root=www&amp;r1=1.76&amp;r2=1.77">Version
620  1.77</a>: Clarify that all retroactive changes to the license are  1.77</a>: Clarify that all retroactive changes to the license are
621  unacceptable, even if it's not described as a complete  unacceptable, even if it's not described as a complete
622  replacement.</li>  replacement.</li>
623    
624  <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  <li><a href="//web.cvs.savannah.gnu.org/viewvc/www/philosophy/free-sw.html?root=www&amp;r1=1.73&amp;r2=1.74">Version
625  1.74</a>: Four clarifications of points not explicit enough, or stated  1.74</a>: Four clarifications of points not explicit enough, or stated
626  in some places but not reflected everywhere:  in some places but not reflected everywhere:
627  <ul>  <ul>
628  <li>"Improvements" does not mean the license can  <li>&ldquo;Improvements&rdquo; does not mean the license can
629  substantively limit what kinds of modified versions you can release.  substantively limit what kinds of modified versions you can release.
630  Freedom 3 includes distributing modified versions, not just changes.</li>  Freedom 3 includes distributing modified versions, not just changes.</li>
631  <li>The right to merge in existing modules  <li>The right to merge in existing modules
# Line 378  refers to those that are suitably licens Line 635  refers to those that are suitably licens
635  </ul>  </ul>
636  </li>  </li>
637    
638  <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  <li><a href="//web.cvs.savannah.gnu.org/viewvc/www/philosophy/free-sw.html?root=www&amp;r1=1.56&amp;r2=1.57">Version
639  1.57</a>: Add &quot;Beyond Software&quot; section.</li>  1.57</a>: Add &ldquo;Beyond Software&rdquo; section.</li>
640    
641  <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  <li><a href="//web.cvs.savannah.gnu.org/viewvc/www/philosophy/free-sw.html?root=www&amp;r1=1.45&amp;r2=1.46">Version
642  1.46</a>: Clarify whose purpose is significant in the freedom to run  1.46</a>: Clarify whose purpose is significant in the freedom to run
643  the program for any purpose.</li>  the program for any purpose.</li>
644    
645  <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  <li><a href="//web.cvs.savannah.gnu.org/viewvc/www/philosophy/free-sw.html?root=www&amp;r1=1.40&amp;r2=1.41">Version
646  1.41</a>: Clarify wording about contract-based licenses.</li>  1.41</a>: Clarify wording about contract-based licenses.</li>
647    
648  <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  <li><a href="//web.cvs.savannah.gnu.org/viewvc/www/philosophy/free-sw.html?root=www&amp;r1=1.39&amp;r2=1.40">Version
649  1.40</a>: Explain that a free license must allow to you use other  1.40</a>: Explain that a free license must allow to you use other
650  available free software to create your modifications.</li>  available free software to create your modifications.</li>
651    
652  <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  <li><a href="//web.cvs.savannah.gnu.org/viewvc/www/philosophy/free-sw.html?root=www&amp;r1=1.38&amp;r2=1.39">Version
653  1.39</a>: Note that it is acceptable for a license to require you to  1.39</a>: Note that it is acceptable for a license to require you to
654  provide source for versions of the software you put into public  provide source for versions of the software you put into public
655  use.</li>  use.</li>
656    
657  <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  <li><a href="//web.cvs.savannah.gnu.org/viewvc/www/philosophy/free-sw.html?root=www&amp;r1=1.30&amp;r2=1.31">Version
658  1.31</a>: Note that it is acceptable for a license to require you to  1.31</a>: Note that it is acceptable for a license to require you to
659  identify yourself as the author of modifications.  Other minor  identify yourself as the author of modifications.  Other minor
660  clarifications throughout the text.</li>  clarifications throughout the text.</li>
661    
662  <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  <li><a href="//web.cvs.savannah.gnu.org/viewvc/www/philosophy/free-sw.html?root=www&amp;r1=1.22&amp;r2=1.23">Version
663  1.23</a>: Address potential problems related to contract-based  1.23</a>: Address potential problems related to contract-based
664  licenses.</li>  licenses.</li>
665    
666  <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  <li><a href="//web.cvs.savannah.gnu.org/viewvc/www/philosophy/free-sw.html?root=www&amp;r1=1.15&amp;r2=1.16">Version
667  1.16</a>: Explain why distribution of binaries is important.</li>  1.16</a>: Explain why distribution of binaries is important.</li>
668    
669  <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  <li><a href="//web.cvs.savannah.gnu.org/viewvc/www/philosophy/free-sw.html?root=www&amp;r1=1.10&amp;r2=1.11">Version
670  1.11</a>: Note that a free license may require you to send a copy of  1.11</a>: Note that a free license may require you to send a copy of
671  versions you distribute to the author.</li>  versions you distribute to previous developers on request.</li>
672    
673  </ul>  </ul>
674    
675  <p>There are gaps in the version numbers shown above because there are  <p>There are gaps in the version numbers shown above because there are
676  other changes in this page that do not affect the definition as such.  other changes in this page that do not affect the definition or its
677  These changes are in other parts of the page.  You can review the  interpretations.  For instance, the list does not include changes in
678  complete list of changes to the page through  asides, formatting, spelling, punctuation, or other parts of the page.
679  the <a href="http://web.cvs.savannah.gnu.org/viewvc/www/philosophy/free-sw.html?root=www&amp;view=log">cvsweb  You can review the complete list of changes to the page through
680    the <a href="//web.cvs.savannah.gnu.org/viewvc/www/philosophy/free-sw.html?root=www&amp;view=log">cvsweb
681  interface</a>.</p>  interface</a>.</p>
682    <div class="column-limit"></div>
683    
684    <h3 class="footnote">Footnote</h3>
685    <ol>
686    <li id="f1">The reason they are numbered 0, 1, 2 and 3 is historical. Around
687    1990 there were three freedoms, numbered 1, 2 and 3. Then we realized that
688    the freedom to run the program needed to be mentioned explicitly.
689    It was clearly more basic than the other three, so it properly should
690    precede them. Rather than renumber the others, we made it freedom&nbsp;0.</li>
691    </ol>
692  </div>  </div>
693    
694    </div><!-- for id="content", starts in the include above -->
695  <!--#include virtual="/server/footer.html" -->  <!--#include virtual="/server/footer.html" -->
696    <div id="footer" role="contentinfo">
697    <div class="unprintable">
698    
699  <div id="footer">  <p>Please send general FSF &amp; GNU inquiries to
   
 <p>  
 Please send FSF &amp; GNU inquiries to  
700  <a href="mailto:gnu@gnu.org">&lt;gnu@gnu.org&gt;</a>.  <a href="mailto:gnu@gnu.org">&lt;gnu@gnu.org&gt;</a>.
701  There are also <a href="/contact/">other ways to contact</a>  There are also <a href="/contact/">other ways to contact</a>
702  the FSF.  the FSF.  Broken links and other corrections or suggestions can be sent
703  <br />  to <a href="mailto:webmasters@gnu.org">&lt;webmasters@gnu.org&gt;</a>.</p>
704  Please send broken links and other corrections or suggestions to  
705  <a href="mailto:webmasters@gnu.org">&lt;webmasters@gnu.org&gt;</a>.  <p><!-- TRANSLATORS: Ignore the original text in this paragraph,
706  </p>          replace it with the translation of these two:
707    
708            We work hard and do our best to provide accurate, good quality
709            translations.  However, we are not exempt from imperfection.
710            Please send your comments and general suggestions in this regard
711            to <a href="mailto:web-translators@gnu.org">
712            &lt;web-translators@gnu.org&gt;</a>.</p>
713    
714            <p>For information on coordinating and contributing translations of
715            our web pages, see <a
716            href="/server/standards/README.translations.html">Translations
717            README</a>. -->
718    Please see the <a
719    href="/server/standards/README.translations.html">Translations
720    README</a> for information on coordinating and contributing translations
721    of this article.</p>
722    </div>
723    
724  <p>  <!-- Regarding copyright, in general, standalone pages (as opposed to
725  Please see the       files generated as part of manuals) on the GNU web server should
726  <a href="/server/standards/README.translations.html">Translations       be under CC BY-ND 4.0.  Please do NOT change or remove this
727  README</a> for information on coordinating and submitting       without talking with the webmasters or licensing team first.
728  translations of this article.       Please make sure the copyright date is consistent with the
729  </p>       document.  For web pages, it is ok to list just the latest year the
730         document was modified, or published.
731        
732         If you wish to list earlier years, that is ok too.
733         Either "2001, 2002, 2003" or "2001-2003" are ok for specifying
734         years, as long as each year in the range is in fact a copyrightable
735         year, i.e., a year in which the document was published (including
736         being publicly visible on the web or in a revision control system).
737        
738         There is more detail about copyright years in the GNU Maintainers
739         Information document, www.gnu.org/prep/maintain. -->
740    
741    <p>Copyright &copy; 1996-2002, 2004-2019, 2021, 2022, 2023, 2024
742    Free Software Foundation, Inc.</p>
743    
 <p>  
 Copyright &copy; 1996, 1997, 1998, 1999, 2000, 2001, 2002, 2004,  
 2005, 2006, 2007, 2009, 2010 Free Software Foundation, Inc.  
 </p>  
744  <p>This page is licensed under a <a rel="license"  <p>This page is licensed under a <a rel="license"
745  href="http://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-nd/3.0/us/">Creative  href="http://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-nd/4.0/">Creative
746  Commons Attribution-NoDerivs 3.0 United States License</a>.  Commons Attribution-NoDerivatives 4.0 International License</a>.</p>
 </p>  
747    
748  <p>  <!--#include virtual="/server/bottom-notes.html" -->
749  Updated:  
750    <p class="unprintable">Updated:
751  <!-- timestamp start -->  <!-- timestamp start -->
752  $Date$  $Date$
753  <!-- timestamp end -->  <!-- timestamp end -->
754  </p>  </p>
755  </div>  </div>
756    </div><!-- for class="inner", starts in the banner include -->
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757  </body>  </body>
758  </html>  </html>
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