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<title>What is free software? |
<title>What is free software? |
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- GNU Project - Free Software Foundation</title> |
- GNU Project - Free Software Foundation</title> |
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<meta http-equiv="Keywords" content="GNU, FSF, Free Software Foundation, Linux, Emacs, GCC, Unix, Free Software, Operating System, GNU Kernel, HURD, GNU HURD, Hurd" /> |
<meta http-equiv="Keywords" content="GNU, FSF, Free Software Foundation, Linux, Emacs, GCC, Unix, Free Software, Operating System, GNU Kernel, HURD, GNU HURD, Hurd" /> |
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<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." /> |
<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." /> |
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<h2>What is free software?</h2> |
<h2>What is free software?</h2> |
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<div class="article"> |
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<h3>The Free Software Definition</h3> |
<h3>The Free Software Definition</h3> |
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<blockquote> |
<blockquote class="note" id="fsf-licensing"><p style="font-size: 80%"> |
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Have a question about free software licensing not answered here? |
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See our other <a href="http://www.fsf.org/licensing">licensing resources</a>, |
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and if necessary contact the FSF Compliance Lab |
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at <a href="mailto:licensing@fsf.org">licensing@fsf.org</a>.</p> |
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</blockquote> |
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<div class="comment"> |
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<p> |
<p> |
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The free software definition presents the criteria for whether a |
The free software definition presents the criteria for whether a |
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particular software program qualifies as free software. From time to |
particular software program qualifies as free software. From time to |
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below for a list of changes that affect the definition of free |
below for a list of changes that affect the definition of free |
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software. |
software. |
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</p> |
</p> |
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</blockquote> |
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<p> |
<p> |
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“Free software” means software that respects users' |
“Open source” is something different: it has a very |
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freedom and community. Roughly, <b>the users have the freedom to run, |
different philosophy based on different values. Its practical |
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copy, distribute, study, change and improve the software</b>. |
definition is different too, but nearly all open source programs are |
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in fact free. We explain the |
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difference in <a href="/philosophy/open-source-misses-the-point.html"> |
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Why “Open Source” misses the point of Free Software</a>. |
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</p> |
</p> |
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</div> |
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<p> |
<p> |
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Thus, “free software” is a matter of liberty, not price. |
“Free software” means software that respects users' |
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To understand the concept, you should think of “free” as |
freedom and community. Roughly, it means that <b>the users have the |
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in “free speech,” not as in “free beer”. |
freedom to run, copy, distribute, study, change and improve the |
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software</b>. Thus, “free software” is a matter of |
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liberty, not price. To understand the concept, you should think of |
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“free” as in “free speech,” not as in |
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“free beer”. We sometimes call it “libre |
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software,” borrowing the French or Spanish word for |
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“free” as in freedom, to show we do not mean the software |
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is gratis. |
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</p> |
</p> |
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<p> |
<p> |
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With these freedoms, the users (both individually and collectively) |
We campaign for these freedoms because everyone deserves them. With |
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control the program and what it does for them. When users don't |
these freedoms, the users (both individually and collectively) control |
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control the program, the program controls the users. The developer |
the program and what it does for them. When users don't control the |
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controls the program, and through it exercises power over the users. |
program, we call it a “nonfree” or |
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Therefore, a “nonfree” or “proprietary” program |
“proprietary” program. The nonfree program controls the |
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is <a href="/philosophy/free-software-even-more-important.html"> an |
users, and the developer controls the program; this makes the |
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instrument of unjust power</a>. |
program <a href="/philosophy/free-software-even-more-important.html"> |
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an instrument of unjust power</a>. |
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</p> |
</p> |
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<h4> The four essential freedoms</h4> |
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<p> |
<p> |
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A program is free software if the program's users have the |
A program is free software if the program's users have the |
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four essential freedoms: |
four essential freedoms: <a href="#f1">[1]</a> |
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</p> |
</p> |
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<ul> |
<ul class="important"> |
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<li>The freedom to run the program, for any purpose (freedom 0).</li> |
<li>The freedom to run the program as you wish, |
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for any purpose (freedom 0).</li> |
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<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 |
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does your computing as you wish (freedom 1). Access to the source |
does your computing as you wish (freedom 1). Access to the source |
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code is a precondition for this. |
code is a precondition for this. |
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</li> |
</li> |
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<li>The freedom to redistribute copies so you can help your neighbor |
<li>The freedom to redistribute copies so you can help others |
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(freedom 2). |
(freedom 2). |
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</li> |
</li> |
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<li>The freedom to distribute copies of your modified versions |
<li>The freedom to distribute copies of your modified versions |
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nonfree distribution schemes in terms of how far they fall short of |
nonfree distribution schemes in terms of how far they fall short of |
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being free, we consider them all equally unethical.</p> |
being free, we consider them all equally unethical.</p> |
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<p>The rest of this page clarifies certain points about what makes |
<p>In any given scenario, these freedoms must apply to whatever code |
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specific freedoms adequate or not.</p> |
we plan to make use of, or lead others to make use of. For instance, |
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consider a program A which automatically launches a program B to |
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handle some cases. If we plan to distribute A as it stands, that |
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implies users will need B, so we need to judge whether both A and B |
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are free. However, if we plan to modify A so that it doesn't use B, |
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only A needs to be free; B is not pertinent to that plan.</p> |
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<p>Freedom to distribute (freedoms 2 and 3) means you are free to |
<p> |
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redistribute copies, either with or without modifications, either |
“Free software” does not mean “noncommercial”. A free |
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gratis or charging a fee for distribution, to |
program must be available for commercial use, commercial development, |
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<a href="#exportcontrol">anyone anywhere</a>. Being free to do these |
and commercial distribution. Commercial development of free software |
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things means (among other things) that you do not have to ask or pay |
is no longer unusual; such free commercial software is very important. |
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for permission to do so. |
You may have paid money to get copies of free software, or you may have |
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obtained copies at no charge. But regardless of how you got your copies, |
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you always have the freedom to copy and change the software, even to |
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<a href="/philosophy/selling.html">sell copies</a>. |
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</p> |
</p> |
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<p> |
<p> |
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You should also have the freedom to make modifications and use them |
A free program must offer the four freedoms to any user that obtains a |
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privately in your own work or play, without even mentioning that they |
copy of the software, provided the user has complied thus far with the |
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exist. If you do publish your changes, you should not be required to |
conditions of the free license covering the software. Putting some of |
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notify anyone in particular, or in any particular way. |
the freedoms off limits to some users, or requiring that users pay, in |
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money or in kind, to exercise them, is tantamount to not granting the |
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freedoms in question, and thus renders the program nonfree. |
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</p> |
</p> |
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<h3>Clarifying the line at various points</h3> |
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<p>In the rest of this article we explain more precisely how far the |
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various freedoms need to extend, on various issues, in order for a |
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program to be free.</p> |
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<h4>The freedom to run the program as you wish</h4> |
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<p> |
<p> |
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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 |
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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 |
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</p> |
</p> |
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<p> |
<p> |
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The freedom to redistribute copies must include binary or executable |
The freedom to run the program as you wish means that you are not |
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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 |
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unmodified versions. (Distributing programs in runnable form is necessary |
functionality the program has, whether it is technically capable of |
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for conveniently installable free operating systems.) It is OK if there |
functioning in any given environment, or whether it is useful for any |
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is no way to produce a binary or executable form for a certain program |
particular computing activity.</p> |
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(since some languages don't support that feature), but you must have the |
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freedom to redistribute such forms should you find or develop a way to |
<p>For example, if the code arbitrarily rejects certain meaningful |
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make them. |
inputs—or even fails unconditionally—that may make the |
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</p> |
program less useful, perhaps even totally useless, but it does not |
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deny users the freedom to run the program, so it does not conflict |
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with freedom 0. If the program is free, the users can overcome the |
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loss of usefulness, because freedoms 1 and 3 permit users and |
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communities to make and distribute modified versions without the |
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arbitrary nuisance code.</p> |
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<h4>The freedom to study the source code and make changes</h4> |
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<p> |
<p> |
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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 |
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freedom to publish the changed versions) to be meaningful, you must have |
freedom to publish the changed versions) to be meaningful, you need to have |
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access to the source code of the program. Therefore, accessibility of |
access to the source code of the program. Therefore, accessibility of |
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source code is a necessary condition for free software. Obfuscated |
source code is a necessary condition for free software. Obfuscated |
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“source code” is not real source code and does not count |
“source code” is not real source code and does not count |
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run someone else's modified versions but refuse to run yours — a |
run someone else's modified versions but refuse to run yours — a |
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practice known as “tivoization” or “lockdown”, |
practice known as “tivoization” or “lockdown”, |
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or (in its practitioners' perverse terminology) as “secure |
or (in its practitioners' perverse terminology) as “secure |
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boot” — freedom 1 becomes a theoretical fiction rather |
boot” — freedom 1 becomes an empty pretense rather than a |
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than a practical freedom. This is not sufficient. In other words, |
practical reality. These binaries are not free |
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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. |
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compiled from is free. |
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</p> |
</p> |
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<p> |
<p> |
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</p> |
</p> |
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<p> |
<p> |
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Whether a change constitutes an improvement is a subjective matter. |
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If your right to modify a program is limited, in substance, to changes that |
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someone else considers an improvement, that program is not free. |
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</p> |
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<h4>The freedom to redistribute if you wish: basic requirements</h4> |
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<p>Freedom to distribute (freedoms 2 and 3) means you are free to |
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redistribute copies, either with or without modifications, either |
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gratis or charging a fee for distribution, to |
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<a href="#exportcontrol">anyone anywhere</a>. Being free to do these |
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things means (among other things) that you do not have to ask or pay |
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for permission to do so. |
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</p> |
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<p> |
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You should also have the freedom to make modifications and use them |
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privately in your own work or play, without even mentioning that they |
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exist. If you do publish your changes, you should not be required to |
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notify anyone in particular, or in any particular way. |
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</p> |
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<p> |
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Freedom 3 includes the freedom to release your modified versions |
Freedom 3 includes the freedom to release your modified versions |
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as free software. A free license may also permit other ways of |
as free software. A free license may also permit other ways of |
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releasing them; in other words, it does not have to be |
releasing them; in other words, it does not have to be |
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</p> |
</p> |
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<p> |
<p> |
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In order for these freedoms to be real, they must be permanent and |
The freedom to redistribute copies must include binary or executable |
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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 |
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software has the power to revoke the license, or retroactively add |
unmodified versions. (Distributing programs in runnable form is necessary |
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restrictions to its terms, without your doing anything wrong to give |
for conveniently installable free operating systems.) It is OK if there |
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cause, the software is not free. |
is no way to produce a binary or executable form for a certain program |
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(since some languages don't support that feature), but you must have the |
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freedom to redistribute such forms should you find or develop a way to |
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make them. |
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</p> |
</p> |
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<h4>Copyleft</h4> |
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<p> |
<p> |
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However, certain kinds of rules about the manner of distributing free |
Certain kinds of rules about the manner of distributing free |
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software are acceptable, when they don't conflict with the central |
software are acceptable, when they don't conflict with the central |
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freedoms. For example, copyleft (very simply stated) is the rule that |
freedoms. For example, <a href="/copyleft/copyleft.html">copyleft</a> |
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when redistributing the program, you cannot add restrictions to deny |
(very simply stated) is the rule that when redistributing the program, |
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other people the central freedoms. This rule does not conflict with |
you cannot add restrictions to deny other people the central freedoms. |
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the central freedoms; rather it protects them. |
This rule does not conflict with the central freedoms; rather it |
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protects them. |
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</p> |
</p> |
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<p> |
<p> |
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“Free software” does not mean “noncommercial”. A free |
In the GNU project, we use copyleft to protect the four freedoms |
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program must be available for commercial use, commercial development, |
legally for everyone. We believe there are important reasons why |
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and commercial distribution. Commercial development of free software |
<a href="/philosophy/pragmatic.html">it is better to use |
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is no longer unusual; such free commercial software is very important. |
copyleft</a>. However, |
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You may have paid money to get copies of free software, or you may have |
<a href="/philosophy/categories.html#Non-CopyleftedFreeSoftware"> |
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obtained copies at no charge. But regardless of how you got your copies, |
noncopylefted free software</a> is ethical |
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you always have the freedom to copy and change the software, even to |
too. See <a href="/philosophy/categories.html">Categories of Free |
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<a href="/philosophy/selling.html">sell copies</a>. |
Software</a> for a description of how “free software,” |
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“copylefted software” and other categories of software |
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relate to each other. |
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</p> |
</p> |
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<p> |
<h4>Rules about packaging and distribution details</h4> |
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Whether a change constitutes an improvement is a subjective matter. |
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If your right to modify a program is limited, in substance, to changes that |
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someone else considers an improvement, that program is not free. |
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</p> |
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<p> |
<p> |
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However, rules about how to package a modified version are acceptable, |
Rules about how to package a modified version are acceptable, |
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if they don't substantively limit your freedom to release modified |
if they don't substantively limit your freedom to release modified |
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versions, or your freedom to make and use modified versions privately. |
versions, or your freedom to make and use modified versions privately. |
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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 |
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facility that allows you to specify the original program's name as an |
facility that allows you to specify the original program's name as an |
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alias for the modified version.</p> |
alias for the modified version.</p> |
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<p> |
<h4>Export regulations</h4> |
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In the GNU project, we use |
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<a href="/copyleft/copyleft.html">copyleft</a> |
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to protect these freedoms legally for everyone. But |
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<a href="/philosophy/categories.html#Non-CopyleftedFreeSoftware">noncopylefted |
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free software</a> also exists. We believe there are important reasons why |
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<a href="/philosophy/pragmatic.html">it is better to use copyleft</a>, |
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but if your program is noncopylefted free software, it is still basically |
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ethical. (See <a href="/philosophy/categories.html">Categories of Free Software</a> for a description of how “free software,” “copylefted software” and other categories of software relate to each other.) |
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</p> |
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<p> |
<p> |
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Sometimes government <a id="exportcontrol">export control regulations</a> |
Sometimes government <a id="exportcontrol">export control regulations</a> |
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software nonfree. |
software nonfree. |
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</p> |
</p> |
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<h4>Legal considerations</h4> |
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<p> |
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In order for these freedoms to be real, they must be permanent and |
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irrevocable as long as you do nothing wrong; if the developer of the |
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software has the power to revoke the license, or retroactively add |
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restrictions to its terms, without your doing anything wrong to give |
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cause, the software is not free. |
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</p> |
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<p> |
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A free license may not require compliance with the license of a |
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nonfree program. Thus, for instance, if a license requires you to |
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comply with the licenses of “all the programs you use”, in |
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the case of a user that runs nonfree programs this would require |
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compliance with the licenses of those nonfree programs; that makes the |
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license nonfree. |
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</p> |
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<p> |
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It is acceptable for a free license to specify which jurisdiction's |
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law applies, or where litigation must be done, or both. |
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</p> |
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<h4>Contract-based licenses</h4> |
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<p> |
<p> |
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Most free software licenses are based on copyright, and there are limits |
Most free software licenses are based on copyright, and there are limits |
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on what kinds of requirements can be imposed through copyright. If a |
on what kinds of requirements can be imposed through copyright. If a |
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it is nonfree. |
it is nonfree. |
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</p> |
</p> |
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<h4>Use the right words when talking about free software</h4> |
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<p> |
<p> |
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When talking about free software, it is best to avoid using terms |
When talking about free software, it is best to avoid using terms |
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like “give away” or “for free,” because those terms imply that |
like “give away” or “for free,” because those terms imply that |
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“free software”</a> into various languages. |
“free software”</a> into various languages. |
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</p> |
</p> |
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<h4>How we interpret these criteria</h4> |
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<p> |
<p> |
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Finally, note that criteria such as those stated in this free software |
Finally, note that criteria such as those stated in this free software |
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definition require careful thought for their interpretation. To decide |
definition require careful thought for their interpretation. To decide |
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it easier to see why certain licenses do or don't qualify. |
it easier to see why certain licenses do or don't qualify. |
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</p> |
</p> |
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<h4>Get help with free licenses</h4> |
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<p> |
<p> |
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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 |
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software license, see our <a href="/licenses/license-list.html">list |
software license, see our <a href="/licenses/license-list.html">list |
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<h3 id="open-source">Open Source?</h3> |
<h3 id="open-source">Open Source?</h3> |
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<p> |
<p> |
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Another group has started using the term “open source” to mean |
Another group uses the term “open source” to mean |
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something close (but not identical) to “free software”. We |
something close (but not identical) to “free software”. We |
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prefer the term “free software” because, once you have heard that |
prefer the term “free software” because, once you have heard that |
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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 |
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word “open” <a href="/philosophy/open-source-misses-the-point.html"> |
word “open” <a href="/philosophy/open-source-misses-the-point.html"> |
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never refers to freedom</a>. |
never refers to freedom</a>. |
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</p> |
</p> |
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</div> |
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<h3 id="History">History</h3> |
<h3 id="History">History</h3> |
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<ul> |
<ul> |
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<li><a href="http://web.cvs.savannah.gnu.org/viewvc/www/philosophy/free-sw.html?root=www&r1=1.164&r2=1.165">Version |
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|
1.165</a>: Clarify that arbitrary annoyances in the code do not |
465 |
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negate freedom 0, and that freedoms 1 and 3 enable users to remove them.</li> |
466 |
|
|
467 |
|
<li><a href="http://web.cvs.savannah.gnu.org/viewvc/www/philosophy/free-sw.html?root=www&r1=1.152&r2=1.153">Version |
468 |
|
1.153</a>: Clarify that freedom to run the program means nothing stops |
469 |
|
you from making it run.</li> |
470 |
|
|
471 |
|
<li><a href="http://web.cvs.savannah.gnu.org/viewvc/www/philosophy/free-sw.html?root=www&r1=1.140&r2=1.141">Version |
472 |
|
1.141</a>: Clarify which code needs to be free.</li> |
473 |
|
|
474 |
|
<li><a href="http://web.cvs.savannah.gnu.org/viewvc/www/philosophy/free-sw.html?root=www&r1=1.134&r2=1.135">Version |
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|
1.135</a>: Say each time that freedom 0 is the freedom to run the program |
476 |
|
as you wish.</li> |
477 |
|
|
478 |
|
<li><a href="http://web.cvs.savannah.gnu.org/viewvc/www/philosophy/free-sw.html?root=www&r1=1.133&r2=1.134">Version |
479 |
|
1.134</a>: Freedom 0 is not a matter of the program's functionality.</li> |
480 |
|
|
481 |
|
<li><a href="http://web.cvs.savannah.gnu.org/viewvc/www/philosophy/free-sw.html?root=www&r1=1.130&r2=1.131">Version |
482 |
|
1.131</a>: A free license may not require compliance with a nonfree license |
483 |
|
of another program.</li> |
484 |
|
|
485 |
|
<li><a href="http://web.cvs.savannah.gnu.org/viewvc/www/philosophy/free-sw.html?root=www&r1=1.128&r2=1.129">Version |
486 |
|
1.129</a>: State explicitly that choice of law and choice of forum |
487 |
|
specifications are allowed. (This was always our policy.)</li> |
488 |
|
|
489 |
<li><a href="http://web.cvs.savannah.gnu.org/viewvc/www/philosophy/free-sw.html?root=www&r1=1.121&r2=1.122">Version |
<li><a href="http://web.cvs.savannah.gnu.org/viewvc/www/philosophy/free-sw.html?root=www&r1=1.121&r2=1.122">Version |
490 |
1.122</a>: An export control requirement is a real problem if the |
1.122</a>: An export control requirement is a real problem if the |
491 |
requirement is nontrivial; otherwise it is only a potential problem.</li> |
requirement is nontrivial; otherwise it is only a potential problem.</li> |
574 |
|
|
575 |
<li><a href="http://web.cvs.savannah.gnu.org/viewvc/www/philosophy/free-sw.html?root=www&r1=1.10&r2=1.11">Version |
<li><a href="http://web.cvs.savannah.gnu.org/viewvc/www/philosophy/free-sw.html?root=www&r1=1.10&r2=1.11">Version |
576 |
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 |
577 |
versions you distribute to the author.</li> |
versions you distribute to previous developers on request.</li> |
578 |
|
|
579 |
</ul> |
</ul> |
580 |
|
|
586 |
the <a href="http://web.cvs.savannah.gnu.org/viewvc/www/philosophy/free-sw.html?root=www&view=log">cvsweb |
the <a href="http://web.cvs.savannah.gnu.org/viewvc/www/philosophy/free-sw.html?root=www&view=log">cvsweb |
587 |
interface</a>.</p> |
interface</a>.</p> |
588 |
|
|
589 |
|
<h3 style="font-size:1em">Footnote</h3> |
590 |
|
<ol> |
591 |
|
<li id="f1">The reason they are numbered 0, 1, 2 and 3 is historical. Around |
592 |
|
1990 there were three freedoms, numbered 1, 2 and 3. Then we realized that |
593 |
|
the freedom to run the program needed to be mentioned explicitly. |
594 |
|
It was clearly more basic than the other three, so it properly should |
595 |
|
precede them. Rather than renumber the others, we made it freedom 0.</li> |
596 |
|
</ol> |
597 |
|
|
598 |
</div><!-- for id="content", starts in the include above --> |
</div><!-- for id="content", starts in the include above --> |
599 |
<!--#include virtual="/server/footer.html" --> |
<!--#include virtual="/server/footer.html" --> |
600 |
<div id="footer"> |
<div id="footer"> |
601 |
|
<div class="unprintable"> |
602 |
|
|
603 |
<p>Please send general FSF & GNU inquiries to |
<p>Please send general FSF & GNU inquiries to |
604 |
<a href="mailto:gnu@gnu.org"><gnu@gnu.org></a>. |
<a href="mailto:gnu@gnu.org"><gnu@gnu.org></a>. |
623 |
href="/server/standards/README.translations.html">Translations |
href="/server/standards/README.translations.html">Translations |
624 |
README</a> for information on coordinating and submitting translations |
README</a> for information on coordinating and submitting translations |
625 |
of this article.</p> |
of this article.</p> |
626 |
|
</div> |
627 |
|
|
628 |
<!-- Regarding copyright, in general, standalone pages (as opposed to |
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629 |
files generated as part of manuals) on the GNU web server should |
files generated as part of manuals) on the GNU web server should |
630 |
be under CC BY-ND 3.0 US. Please do NOT change or remove this |
be under CC BY-ND 4.0. Please do NOT change or remove this |
631 |
without talking with the webmasters or licensing team first. |
without talking with the webmasters or licensing team first. |
632 |
Please make sure the copyright date is consistent with the |
Please make sure the copyright date is consistent with the |
633 |
document. For web pages, it is ok to list just the latest year the |
document. For web pages, it is ok to list just the latest year the |
642 |
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643 |
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644 |
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645 |
<p>Copyright © 1996-2002, 2004-2007, 2009, 2010, 2012, 2013 |
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646 |
Free Software Foundation, Inc.</p> |
Free Software Foundation, Inc.</p> |
647 |
|
|
648 |
<p>This page is licensed under a <a rel="license" |
<p>This page is licensed under a <a rel="license" |
649 |
href="http://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-nd/3.0/us/">Creative |
href="http://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-nd/4.0/">Creative |
650 |
Commons Attribution-NoDerivs 3.0 United States License</a>.</p> |
Commons Attribution-NoDerivatives 4.0 International License</a>.</p> |
651 |
|
|
652 |
<!--#include virtual="/server/bottom-notes.html" --> |
<!--#include virtual="/server/bottom-notes.html" --> |
653 |
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|
654 |
<p>Updated: |
<p class="unprintable">Updated: |
655 |
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656 |
$Date$ |
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657 |
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658 |
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659 |
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660 |
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661 |
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662 |
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