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2    <!-- Parent-Version: 1.75 -->
3  <title>The Free Software Definition - GNU Project - Free Software Foundation (FSF)</title>  <title>What is free software?
4    - GNU Project - Free Software Foundation</title>
5    
6  <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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11    
12  <h1>The Free Software Definition</h1>  <h2>What is free software?</h2>
13    
14    <h3>The Free Software Definition</h3>
15    
16    <blockquote>
17    <p>
18    The free software definition presents the criteria for whether a
19    particular software program qualifies as free software.  From time to
20    time we revise this definition, to clarify it or to resolve questions
21    about subtle issues.  See the <a href="#History">History section</a>
22    below for a list of changes that affect the definition of free
23    software.
24    </p>
25    </blockquote>
26    
27    <p>
28    &ldquo;Free software&rdquo; means software that respects users'
29    freedom and community.  Roughly, <b>the users have the freedom to run,
30    copy, distribute, study, change and improve the software</b>.
31    </p>
32    
33  <p>  <p>
34  We maintain this free software definition to show clearly what must  Thus, &ldquo;free software&rdquo; is a matter of liberty, not price.
35  be true about a particular software program for it to be considered  To understand the concept, you should think of &ldquo;free&rdquo; as
36  free software.  in &ldquo;free speech,&rdquo; not as in &ldquo;free beer&rdquo;.
37  </p>  </p>
38    
39  <p>  <p>
40  <q>Free software</q> is a matter of liberty, not price.  To understand  With these freedoms, the users (both individually and collectively)
41  the concept, you should think of <q>free</q> as in <q>free speech,</q>  control the program and what it does for them.  When users don't
42  not as in <q>free beer.</q>  control the program, the program controls the users.  The developer
43    controls the program, and through it exercises power over the users.
44    Therefore, a &ldquo;nonfree&rdquo; or &ldquo;proprietary&rdquo; program
45    is <a href="/philosophy/free-software-even-more-important.html"> an
46    instrument of unjust power</a>.
47  </p>  </p>
48    
49  <p>  <p>
50  Free software is a matter of the users' freedom to run, copy, distribute,  A program is free software if the program's users have the
51  study, change and improve the software.  More precisely, it refers to  four essential freedoms:
 four kinds of freedom, for the users of the software:  
52  </p>  </p>
53    
54  <ul>  <ul>
55    <li>The freedom to run the program, for any purpose (freedom 0).</li>    <li>The freedom to run the program, for any purpose (freedom 0).</li>
56    <li>The freedom to study how the program works, and adapt it to    <li>The freedom to study how the program works, and change it so it
57        your needs (freedom 1). Access to the source code is a precondition        does your computing as you wish (freedom 1). Access to the source
58        for this.        code is a precondition for this.
59    </li>    </li>
60    <li>The freedom to redistribute copies so you can help your neighbor    <li>The freedom to redistribute copies so you can help your neighbor
61        (freedom 2).        (freedom 2).
62    </li>    </li>
63    <li>The freedom to improve the program, and release your improvements    <li>The freedom to distribute copies of your modified versions
64        to the public, so that the whole community benefits (freedom 3).        to others (freedom 3).  By doing this you can give the whole
65          community a chance to benefit from your changes.
66        Access to the source code is a precondition for this.        Access to the source code is a precondition for this.
67    </li>    </li>
68  </ul>  </ul>
69    
70  <p>  <p>
71  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
72  you should be free to redistribute copies, either with or without  freedoms.  Otherwise, it is nonfree.  While we can distinguish various
73  modifications, either gratis or charging a fee for distribution, to  nonfree distribution schemes in terms of how far they fall short of
74    being free, we consider them all equally unethical.</p>
75    
76    <p>The rest of this page clarifies certain points about what makes
77    specific freedoms adequate or not.</p>
78    
79    <p>Freedom to distribute (freedoms 2 and 3) means you are free to
80    redistribute copies, either with or without modifications, either
81    gratis or charging a fee for distribution, to
82  <a href="#exportcontrol">anyone anywhere</a>.  Being free to do these  <a href="#exportcontrol">anyone anywhere</a>.  Being free to do these
83  things means (among other things) that you do not have to ask or pay  things means (among other things) that you do not have to ask or pay
84  for permission.  for permission to do so.
85  </p>  </p>
86    
87  <p>  <p>
# Line 66  or organization to use it on any kind of Line 97  or organization to use it on any kind of
97  overall job and purpose, without being required to communicate about it  overall job and purpose, without being required to communicate about it
98  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
99  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>
100  purpose; you as a user are free to run a program for your purposes,  purpose; you as a user are free to run the program for your purposes,
101  and if you distribute it to someone else, she is then free to run it  and if you distribute it to someone else, she is then free to run it
102  for her purposes, but you are not entitled to impose your purposes on her.  for her purposes, but you are not entitled to impose your purposes on her.
103  </p>  </p>
# Line 75  for her purposes, but you are not entitl Line 106  for her purposes, but you are not entitl
106  The freedom to redistribute copies must include binary or executable  The freedom to redistribute copies must include binary or executable
107  forms of the program, as well as source code, for both modified and  forms of the program, as well as source code, for both modified and
108  unmodified versions.  (Distributing programs in runnable form is necessary  unmodified versions.  (Distributing programs in runnable form is necessary
109  for conveniently installable free operating systems.)  It is ok if there  for conveniently installable free operating systems.)  It is OK if there
110  is no way to produce a binary or executable form for a certain program  is no way to produce a binary or executable form for a certain program
111  (since some languages don't support that feature), but you must have the  (since some languages don't support that feature), but you must have the
112  freedom to redistribute such forms should you find or develop a way to  freedom to redistribute such forms should you find or develop a way to
# Line 83  make them. Line 114  make them.
114  </p>  </p>
115    
116  <p>  <p>
117  In order for the freedoms to make changes, and to publish improved  In order for freedoms 1 and 3 (the freedom to make changes and the
118  versions, to be meaningful, you must have access to the source code of  freedom to publish the changed versions) to be meaningful, you must have
119  the program.  Therefore, accessibility of source code is a necessary  access to the source code of the program.  Therefore, accessibility of
120  condition for free software.  source code is a necessary condition for free software.  Obfuscated
121    &ldquo;source code&rdquo; is not real source code and does not count
122    as source code.
123  </p>  </p>
124    
125  <p>  <p>
126  One important way to modify a program is by merging in available  Freedom 1 includes the freedom to use your changed version in place of
127  free subroutines and modules.  If the program's license says that you  the original.  If the program is delivered in a product designed to
128  cannot merge in an existing module, such as if it requires you to be the  run someone else's modified versions but refuse to run yours &mdash; a
129  copyright holder of any code you add, then the license is too restrictive  practice known as &ldquo;tivoization&rdquo; or &ldquo;lockdown&rdquo;,
130  to qualify as free.  or (in its practitioners' perverse terminology) as &ldquo;secure
131    boot&rdquo; &mdash; freedom 1 becomes a theoretical fiction rather
132    than a practical freedom.  This is not sufficient.  In other words,
133    these binaries are not free software even if the source code they are
134    compiled from is free.
135  </p>  </p>
136    
137  <p>  <p>
138  In order for these freedoms to be real, they must be irrevocable as  One important way to modify a program is by merging in available free
139  long as you do nothing wrong; if the developer of the software has the  subroutines and modules.  If the program's license says that you
140  power to revoke the license, without your doing anything to give cause,  cannot merge in a suitably licensed existing module &mdash; for instance, if it
141  the software is not free.  requires you to be the copyright holder of any code you add &mdash; then the
142    license is too restrictive to qualify as free.
143    </p>
144    
145    <p>
146    Freedom 3 includes the freedom to release your modified versions
147    as free software.  A free license may also permit other ways of
148    releasing them; in other words, it does not have to be
149    a <a href="/copyleft/copyleft.html">copyleft</a> license.  However, a
150    license that requires modified versions to be nonfree does not qualify
151    as a free license.
152    </p>
153    
154    <p>
155    In order for these freedoms to be real, they must be permanent and
156    irrevocable as long as you do nothing wrong; if the developer of the
157    software has the power to revoke the license, or retroactively add
158    restrictions to its terms, without your doing anything wrong to give
159    cause, the software is not free.
160  </p>  </p>
161    
162  <p>  <p>
# Line 114  the central freedoms; rather it protects Line 169  the central freedoms; rather it protects
169  </p>  </p>
170    
171  <p>  <p>
172    &ldquo;Free software&rdquo; does not mean &ldquo;noncommercial&rdquo;.  A free
173    program must be available for commercial use, commercial development,
174    and commercial distribution.  Commercial development of free software
175    is no longer unusual; such free commercial software is very important.
176  You may have paid money to get copies of free software, or you may have  You may have paid money to get copies of free software, or you may have
177  obtained copies at no charge.  But regardless of how you got your copies,  obtained copies at no charge.  But regardless of how you got your copies,
178  you always have the freedom to copy and change the software, even to  you always have the freedom to copy and change the software, even to
# Line 121  you always have the freedom to copy and Line 180  you always have the freedom to copy and
180  </p>  </p>
181    
182  <p>  <p>
183  <q>Free software</q> does not mean <q>non-commercial.</q>  A free  Whether a change constitutes an improvement is a subjective matter.
184  program must be available for commercial use, commercial development,  If your right to modify a program is limited, in substance, to changes that
185  and commercial distribution.  Commercial development of free software  someone else considers an improvement, that program is not free.
186  is no longer unusual; such free commercial software is very important.  </p>
187    
188    <p>
189    However, rules about how to package a modified version are acceptable,
190    if they don't substantively limit your freedom to release modified
191    versions, or your freedom to make and use modified versions privately.
192    Thus, it is acceptable for the license to require that you change the
193    name of the modified version, remove a logo, or identify your
194    modifications as yours.  As long as these requirements are not so
195    burdensome that they effectively hamper you from releasing your
196    changes, they are acceptable; you're already making other changes to
197    the program, so you won't have trouble making a few more.
198  </p>  </p>
199    
200  <p>  <p>
201  Rules about how to package a modified version are acceptable, if they  Rules that &ldquo;if you make your version available in this way, you
202  don't substantively block your freedom to release modified versions, or  must make it available in that way also&rdquo; can be acceptable too,
203  your freedom to make and use modified versions privately.  Rules that <q>if  on the same condition.  An example of such an acceptable rule is one
204  you make your version available in this way, you must make it available in  saying that if you have distributed a
 that way also</q> can be acceptable too, on the same condition.  (Note that  
 such a rule still leaves you the choice of whether to publish your version  
 at all.)  Rules that require release of source code to the users for  
 versions that you put into public use are also acceptable.  It is also  
 acceptable for the license to require that, if you have distributed a  
205  modified version and a previous developer asks for a copy of it, you  modified version and a previous developer asks for a copy of it, you
206  must send one, or that you identify yourself on your modifications.  must send one.  (Note that such a rule still leaves you the choice of
207    whether to distribute your version at all.)  Rules that require release
208    of source code to the users for versions that you put into public use
209    are also acceptable.
210  </p>  </p>
211    
212  <p>  <p>
213    A special issue arises when a license requires changing the name by
214    which the program will be invoked from other programs.  That
215    effectively hampers you from releasing your changed version so that it
216    can replace the original when invoked by those other programs.  This
217    sort of requirement is acceptable only if there's a suitable aliasing
218    facility that allows you to specify the original program's name as an
219    alias for the modified version.</p>
220    
221    <p>
222  In the GNU project, we use  In the GNU project, we use
223  <q><a href="/copyleft/copyleft.html">copyleft</a></q>  <a href="/copyleft/copyleft.html">copyleft</a>
224  to protect these freedoms legally for everyone.  But  to protect these freedoms legally for everyone.  But
225  <a href="/philosophy/categories.html#Non-CopyleftedFreeSoftware">non-copylefted  <a href="/philosophy/categories.html#Non-CopyleftedFreeSoftware">noncopylefted
226  free software</a> also exists.  We believe there are important reasons why  free software</a> also exists.  We believe there are important reasons why
227  <a href="/philosophy/pragmatic.html"> it is better to use copyleft</a>,  <a href="/philosophy/pragmatic.html">it is better to use copyleft</a>,
228  but if your program is non-copylefted free software, we can still  but if your program is noncopylefted free software, it is still basically
229  use it.  ethical. (See <a href="/philosophy/categories.html">Categories of Free Software</a> for a description of how &ldquo;free software,&rdquo; &ldquo;copylefted software&rdquo; and other categories of software relate to each other.)
 </p>  
   
 <p>  
 See <a href="/philosophy/categories.html">Categories of Free Software</a>  
 for a description of how <q>free software,</q> <q>copylefted software</q>  
 and other categories of software relate to each other.  
230  </p>  </p>
231    
232  <p>  <p>
# Line 165  programs internationally.  Software deve Line 236  programs internationally.  Software deve
236  eliminate or override these restrictions, but what they can and must do  eliminate or override these restrictions, but what they can and must do
237  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
238  way, the restrictions will not affect activities and people outside the  way, the restrictions will not affect activities and people outside the
239  jurisdictions of these governments.  jurisdictions of these governments.  Thus, free software licenses
240    must not require obedience to any nontrivial export regulations as a
241    condition of exercising any of the essential freedoms.
242    </p>
243    
244    <p>
245    Merely mentioning the existence of export regulations, without making
246    them a condition of the license itself, is acceptable since it does
247    not restrict users.  If an export regulation is actually trivial for
248    free software, then requiring it as a condition is not an actual
249    problem; however, it is a potential problem, since a later change in
250    export law could make the requirement nontrivial and thus render the
251    software nonfree.
252  </p>  </p>
253    
254  <p>  <p>
# Line 176  is unlikely to have some other sort of p Line 259  is unlikely to have some other sort of p
259  (though this does happen occasionally).  However, some free software  (though this does happen occasionally).  However, some free software
260  licenses are based on contracts, and contracts can impose a much larger  licenses are based on contracts, and contracts can impose a much larger
261  range of possible restrictions.  That means there are many possible ways  range of possible restrictions.  That means there are many possible ways
262  such a license could be unacceptably restrictive and non-free.  such a license could be unacceptably restrictive and nonfree.
263  </p>  </p>
264    
265  <p>  <p>
# Line 184  We can't possibly list all the ways that Line 267  We can't possibly list all the ways that
267  contract-based license restricts the user in an unusual way that  contract-based license restricts the user in an unusual way that
268  copyright-based licenses cannot, and which isn't mentioned here as  copyright-based licenses cannot, and which isn't mentioned here as
269  legitimate, we will have to think about it, and we will probably conclude  legitimate, we will have to think about it, and we will probably conclude
270  it is non-free.  it is nonfree.
271  </p>  </p>
272    
273  <p>  <p>
274  When talking about free software, it is best to avoid using terms  When talking about free software, it is best to avoid using terms
275  like <q>give away</q> or <q>for free,</q> because those terms imply that  like &ldquo;give away&rdquo; or &ldquo;for free,&rdquo; because those terms imply that
276  the issue is about price, not freedom.  Some common terms such  the issue is about price, not freedom.  Some common terms such
277  as <q>piracy</q> embody opinions we hope you won't endorse.  See  as &ldquo;piracy&rdquo; embody opinions we hope you won't endorse.  See
278  <a href="/philosophy/words-to-avoid.html">Confusing Words and Phrases that  <a href="/philosophy/words-to-avoid.html">Confusing Words and Phrases that
279  are Worth Avoiding</a> for a discussion of these terms.  We also have  are Worth Avoiding</a> for a discussion of these terms.  We also have
280  a list of <a href="/philosophy/fs-translations.html">translations of  a list of proper <a href="/philosophy/fs-translations.html">translations of
281  <q>free software</q></a> into various languages.  &ldquo;free software&rdquo;</a> into various languages.
282  </p>  </p>
283    
284  <p>  <p>
# Line 221  listed there, you can ask us about it by Line 304  listed there, you can ask us about it by
304  </p>  </p>
305    
306  <p>  <p>
307  If you are contemplating writing a new license, please contact the FSF  If you are contemplating writing a new license, please contact the
308  by writing to that address. The proliferation of different free software  Free Software Foundation first by writing to that address. The
309  licenses means increased work for users in understanding the licenses;  proliferation of different free software licenses means increased work
310  we may be able to help you find an existing Free Software license that  for users in understanding the licenses; we may be able to help you
311  meets your needs.  find an existing free software license that meets your needs.
312  </p>  </p>
313    
314  <p>  <p>
315  If that isn't possible, if you really need a new license, with our  If that isn't possible, if you really need a new license, with our
316  help you can ensure that the license really is a Free Software license  help you can ensure that the license really is a free software license
317  and avoid various practical problems.  and avoid various practical problems.
318  </p>  </p>
319    
320  <h2 id="beyond-software">Beyond Software</h2>  <h3 id="beyond-software">Beyond Software</h3>
321    
322  <p>  <p>
323  <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 246  manuals are in effect part of the softwa Line 329  manuals are in effect part of the softwa
329  The same arguments also make sense for other kinds of works of  The same arguments also make sense for other kinds of works of
330  practical use &mdash; that is to say, works that embody useful knowledge,  practical use &mdash; that is to say, works that embody useful knowledge,
331  such as educational works and reference  such as educational works and reference
332  works.  <a href="http://wikipedia.org">Wikipedia</a> is the best known  works.  <a href="http://wikipedia.org">Wikipedia</a> is the best-known
333  example.  example.
334  </p>  </p>
335    
# Line 256  has been extended to a definition of <a Line 339  has been extended to a definition of <a
339  free cultural works</a> applicable to any kind of works.  free cultural works</a> applicable to any kind of works.
340  </p>  </p>
341    
342  <h2 id="open-source">Open Source?</h2>  <h3 id="open-source">Open Source?</h3>
343    
344  <p>  <p>
345  Another group has started using the term <q>open source</q> to mean  Another group has started using the term &ldquo;open source&rdquo; to mean
346  something close (but not identical) to <q>free software.</q>  We  something close (but not identical) to &ldquo;free software&rdquo;.  We
347  prefer the term <q>free software</q> because, once you have heard that  prefer the term &ldquo;free software&rdquo; because, once you have heard that
348  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
349  word <q>open</q> <a href="/philosophy/open-source-misses-the-point.html">  word &ldquo;open&rdquo; <a href="/philosophy/open-source-misses-the-point.html">
350  never refers to freedom</a>.  never refers to freedom</a>.
351  </p>  </p>
352    
353  </div>  <h3 id="History">History</h3>
354    
355    <p>From time to time we revise this Free Software Definition.  Here is
356    the list of substantive changes, along with links to show exactly what
357    was changed.</p>
358    
359  <!--#include virtual="/server/footer.html" -->  <ul>
360    
361  <div id="footer">  <li><a href="http://web.cvs.savannah.gnu.org/viewvc/www/philosophy/free-sw.html?root=www&amp;r1=1.121&amp;r2=1.122">Version
362    1.122</a>: An export control requirement is a real problem if the
363    requirement is nontrivial; otherwise it is only a potential problem.</li>
364    
365    <li><a href="http://web.cvs.savannah.gnu.org/viewvc/www/philosophy/free-sw.html?root=www&amp;r1=1.117&amp;r2=1.118">Version
366    1.118</a>: Clarification: the issue is limits on your right to modify,
367    not on what modifications you have made.  And modifications are not limited
368    to &ldquo;improvements&rdquo;</li>
369    
370    <li><a href="http://web.cvs.savannah.gnu.org/viewvc/www/philosophy/free-sw.html?root=www&amp;r1=1.110&amp;r2=1.111">Version
371    1.111</a>: Clarify 1.77 by saying that only
372    retroactive <em>restrictions</em> are unacceptable.  The copyright
373    holders can always grant additional <em>permission</em> for use of the
374    work by releasing the work in another way in parallel.</li>
375    
376    <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
377    1.105</a>: Reflect, in the brief statement of freedom 1, the point
378    (already stated in version 1.80) that it includes really using your modified
379    version for your computing.</li>
380    
381    <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
382    1.92</a>: Clarify that obfuscated code does not qualify as source code.</li>
383    
384    <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
385    1.90</a>: Clarify that freedom 3 means the right to distribute copies
386    of your own modified or improved version, not a right to participate
387    in someone else's development project.</li>
388    
389    <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
390    1.89</a>: Freedom 3 includes the right to release modified versions as
391    free software.</li>
392    
393    <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
394    1.80</a>: Freedom 1 must be practical, not just theoretical;
395    i.e., no tivoization.</li>
396    
397    <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
398    1.77</a>: Clarify that all retroactive changes to the license are
399    unacceptable, even if it's not described as a complete
400    replacement.</li>
401    
402    <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
403    1.74</a>: Four clarifications of points not explicit enough, or stated
404    in some places but not reflected everywhere:
405    <ul>
406    <li>"Improvements" does not mean the license can
407    substantively limit what kinds of modified versions you can release.
408    Freedom 3 includes distributing modified versions, not just changes.</li>
409    <li>The right to merge in existing modules
410    refers to those that are suitably licensed.</li>
411    <li>Explicitly state the conclusion of the point about export controls.</li>
412    <li>Imposing a license change constitutes revoking the old license.</li>
413    </ul>
414    </li>
415    
416  <p>  <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
417  Please send FSF &amp; GNU inquiries to  1.57</a>: Add &quot;Beyond Software&quot; section.</li>
 <a href="mailto:gnu@gnu.org"><em>gnu@gnu.org</em></a>.  
 There are also <a href="http://www.fsf.org/about/contact.html">other ways to contact</a>  
 the FSF.  
 <br />  
 Please send broken links and other corrections (or suggestions) to  
 <a href="mailto:webmasters@gnu.org"><em>webmasters@gnu.org</em></a>.  
 </p>  
418    
419  <p>  <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
420  Please see the  1.46</a>: Clarify whose purpose is significant in the freedom to run
421  <a href="/server/standards/README.translations.html">Translations  the program for any purpose.</li>
422  README</a> for information on coordinating and submitting  
423  translations of this article.  <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
424  </p>  1.41</a>: Clarify wording about contract-based licenses.</li>
425    
426    <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
427    1.40</a>: Explain that a free license must allow to you use other
428    available free software to create your modifications.</li>
429    
430    <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
431    1.39</a>: Note that it is acceptable for a license to require you to
432    provide source for versions of the software you put into public
433    use.</li>
434    
435    <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
436    1.31</a>: Note that it is acceptable for a license to require you to
437    identify yourself as the author of modifications.  Other minor
438    clarifications throughout the text.</li>
439    
440    <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
441    1.23</a>: Address potential problems related to contract-based
442    licenses.</li>
443    
444    <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
445    1.16</a>: Explain why distribution of binaries is important.</li>
446    
447    <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
448    1.11</a>: Note that a free license may require you to send a copy of
449    versions you distribute to the author.</li>
450    
451  <p>  </ul>
 Copyright &copy; 1996, 1997, 1998, 1999, 2000, 2001, 2002, 2003, 2004,  
 2005, 2006, 2007 Free Software Foundation, Inc.,  
 </p>  
 <address>51 Franklin St, Fifth Floor, Boston, MA 02110-1301, USA</address>  
 <p>Verbatim copying and distribution of this entire article is  
 permitted in any medium without royalty provided this notice is  
 preserved.  
 </p>  
452    
453  <p>  <p>There are gaps in the version numbers shown above because there are
454  Updated:  other changes in this page that do not affect the definition or its
455    interpretations.  For instance, the list does not include changes in
456    asides, formatting, spelling, punctuation, or other parts of the page.
457    You can review the complete list of changes to the page through
458    the <a href="http://web.cvs.savannah.gnu.org/viewvc/www/philosophy/free-sw.html?root=www&amp;view=log">cvsweb
459    interface</a>.</p>
460    
461    
462    </div><!-- for id="content", starts in the include above -->
463    <!--#include virtual="/server/footer.html" -->
464    <div id="footer">
465    
466    <p>Please send general FSF &amp; GNU inquiries to
467    <a href="mailto:gnu@gnu.org">&lt;gnu@gnu.org&gt;</a>.
468    There are also <a href="/contact/">other ways to contact</a>
469    the FSF.  Broken links and other corrections or suggestions can be sent
470    to <a href="mailto:webmasters@gnu.org">&lt;webmasters@gnu.org&gt;</a>.</p>
471    
472    <p><!-- TRANSLATORS: Ignore the original text in this paragraph,
473            replace it with the translation of these two:
474    
475            We work hard and do our best to provide accurate, good quality
476            translations.  However, we are not exempt from imperfection.
477            Please send your comments and general suggestions in this regard
478            to <a href="mailto:web-translators@gnu.org">
479            &lt;web-translators@gnu.org&gt;</a>.</p>
480    
481            <p>For information on coordinating and submitting translations of
482            our web pages, see <a
483            href="/server/standards/README.translations.html">Translations
484            README</a>. -->
485    Please see the <a
486    href="/server/standards/README.translations.html">Translations
487    README</a> for information on coordinating and submitting translations
488    of this article.</p>
489    
490    <!-- Regarding copyright, in general, standalone pages (as opposed to
491         files generated as part of manuals) on the GNU web server should
492         be under CC BY-ND 3.0 US.  Please do NOT change or remove this
493         without talking with the webmasters or licensing team first.
494         Please make sure the copyright date is consistent with the
495         document.  For web pages, it is ok to list just the latest year the
496         document was modified, or published.
497        
498         If you wish to list earlier years, that is ok too.
499         Either "2001, 2002, 2003" or "2001-2003" are ok for specifying
500         years, as long as each year in the range is in fact a copyrightable
501         year, i.e., a year in which the document was published (including
502         being publicly visible on the web or in a revision control system).
503        
504         There is more detail about copyright years in the GNU Maintainers
505         Information document, www.gnu.org/prep/maintain. -->
506    
507    <p>Copyright &copy; 1996-2002, 2004-2007, 2009, 2010, 2012, 2013
508    Free Software Foundation, Inc.</p>
509    
510    <p>This page is licensed under a <a rel="license"
511    href="http://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-nd/3.0/us/">Creative
512    Commons Attribution-NoDerivs 3.0 United States License</a>.</p>
513    
514    <!--#include virtual="/server/bottom-notes.html" -->
515    
516    <p>Updated:
517  <!-- timestamp start -->  <!-- timestamp start -->
518  $Date$  $Date$
519  <!-- timestamp end -->  <!-- timestamp end -->
520  </p>  </p>
521  </div>  </div>
   
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522  </div>  </div>
   
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