/[www]/www/philosophy/free-sw.html
ViewVC logotype

Diff of /www/philosophy/free-sw.html

Parent Directory Parent Directory | Revision Log Revision Log | View Patch Patch

revision 1.63 by yavor, Sun Apr 1 12:18:44 2007 UTC revision 1.129 by rms, Mon Feb 17 01:35:57 2014 UTC
# Line 1  Line 1 
1  <!--#include virtual="/server/header.html" -->  <!--#include virtual="/server/header.html" -->
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" />
7  <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." />
 <link rel="alternate" title="What's New" href="http://www.gnu.org/rss/whatsnew.rss" type="application/rss+xml" />  
 <link rel="alternate" title="New Free Software" href="http://www.gnu.org/rss/quagga.rss" type="application/rss+xml" />  
8    
9    <!--#include virtual="/philosophy/po/free-sw.translist" -->
10  <!--#include virtual="/server/banner.html" -->  <!--#include virtual="/server/banner.html" -->
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>  <p>
28  We maintain this free software definition to show clearly what must  &ldquo;Free software&rdquo; means software that respects users'
29  be true about a particular software program for it to be considered  freedom and community.  Roughly, it means that <b>the users have the
30  free software.  freedom to run, copy, distribute, study, change and improve the
31    software</b>.  Thus, &ldquo;free software&rdquo; is a matter of
32    liberty, not price.  To understand the concept, you should think of
33    &ldquo;free&rdquo; as in &ldquo;free speech,&rdquo; not as in
34    &ldquo;free beer&rdquo;.
35  </p>  </p>
36    
37  <p>  <p>
38  <q>Free software</q> is a matter of liberty, not price.  To understand  We campaign for these freedoms because everyone deserves them.  With
39  the concept, you should think of <q>free</q> as in <q>free speech,</q>  these freedoms, the users (both individually and collectively) control
40  not as in <q>free beer.</q>  the program and what it does for them.  When users don't control the
41    program, we call it a &ldquo;nonfree&rdquo; or
42    &ldquo;proprietary&rdquo; program.  The nonfree program controls the
43    users, and the developer controls the program; this makes the
44    program <a href="/philosophy/free-software-even-more-important.html">
45    an instrument of unjust power</a>.
46  </p>  </p>
47    
48  <p>  <p>
49  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
50  study, change and improve the software.  More precisely, it refers to  four essential freedoms:
 four kinds of freedom, for the users of the software:  
51  </p>  </p>
52    
53  <ul>  <ul>
54    <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>
55    <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
56        your needs (freedom 1). Access to the source code is a precondition        does your computing as you wish (freedom 1). Access to the source
57        for this.        code is a precondition for this.
58    </li>    </li>
59    <li>The freedom to redistribute copies so you can help your neighbor    <li>The freedom to redistribute copies so you can help your neighbor
60        (freedom 2).        (freedom 2).
61    </li>    </li>
62    <li>The freedom to improve the program, and release your improvements    <li>The freedom to distribute copies of your modified versions
63        to the public, so that the whole community benefits (freedom 3).        to others (freedom 3).  By doing this you can give the whole
64          community a chance to benefit from your changes.
65        Access to the source code is a precondition for this.        Access to the source code is a precondition for this.
66    </li>    </li>
67  </ul>  </ul>
68    
69  <p>  <p>
70  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
71  you should be free to redistribute copies, either with or without  freedoms.  Otherwise, it is nonfree.  While we can distinguish various
72  modifications, either gratis or charging a fee for distribution, to  nonfree distribution schemes in terms of how far they fall short of
73    being free, we consider them all equally unethical.</p>
74    
75    <p>The rest of this page clarifies certain points about what makes
76    specific freedoms adequate or not.</p>
77    
78    <p>Freedom to distribute (freedoms 2 and 3) means you are free to
79    redistribute copies, either with or without modifications, either
80    gratis or charging a fee for distribution, to
81  <a href="#exportcontrol">anyone anywhere</a>.  Being free to do these  <a href="#exportcontrol">anyone anywhere</a>.  Being free to do these
82  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
83  for permission.  for permission to do so.
84  </p>  </p>
85    
86  <p>  <p>
# Line 66  or organization to use it on any kind of Line 96  or organization to use it on any kind of
96  overall job and purpose, without being required to communicate about it  overall job and purpose, without being required to communicate about it
97  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
98  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>
99  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,
100  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
101  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.
102  </p>  </p>
# Line 75  for her purposes, but you are not entitl Line 105  for her purposes, but you are not entitl
105  The freedom to redistribute copies must include binary or executable  The freedom to redistribute copies must include binary or executable
106  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
107  unmodified versions.  (Distributing programs in runnable form is necessary  unmodified versions.  (Distributing programs in runnable form is necessary
108  for conveniently installable free operating systems.)  It is ok if there  for conveniently installable free operating systems.)  It is OK if there
109  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
110  (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
111  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 113  make them.
113  </p>  </p>
114    
115  <p>  <p>
116  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
117  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
118  the program.  Therefore, accessibility of source code is a necessary  access to the source code of the program.  Therefore, accessibility of
119  condition for free software.  source code is a necessary condition for free software.  Obfuscated
120    &ldquo;source code&rdquo; is not real source code and does not count
121    as source code.
122    </p>
123    
124    <p>
125    Freedom 1 includes the freedom to use your changed version in place of
126    the original.  If the program is delivered in a product designed to
127    run someone else's modified versions but refuse to run yours &mdash; a
128    practice known as &ldquo;tivoization&rdquo; or &ldquo;lockdown&rdquo;,
129    or (in its practitioners' perverse terminology) as &ldquo;secure
130    boot&rdquo; &mdash; freedom 1 becomes a theoretical fiction rather
131    than a practical freedom.  This is not sufficient.  In other words,
132    these binaries are not free software even if the source code they are
133    compiled from is free.
134  </p>  </p>
135    
136  <p>  <p>
137  One important way to modify a program is by merging in available  One important way to modify a program is by merging in available free
138  free subroutines and modules.  If the program's license says that you  subroutines and modules.  If the program's license says that you
139  cannot merge in an existing module, such as if it requires you to be the  cannot merge in a suitably licensed existing module &mdash; for instance, if it
140  copyright holder of any code you add, then the license is too restrictive  requires you to be the copyright holder of any code you add &mdash; then the
141  to qualify as free.  license is too restrictive to qualify as free.
142  </p>  </p>
143    
144  <p>  <p>
145  In order for these freedoms to be real, they must be irrevocable as  Freedom 3 includes the freedom to release your modified versions
146  long as you do nothing wrong; if the developer of the software has the  as free software.  A free license may also permit other ways of
147  power to revoke the license, without your doing anything to give cause,  releasing them; in other words, it does not have to be
148  the software is not free.  a <a href="/copyleft/copyleft.html">copyleft</a> license.  However, a
149    license that requires modified versions to be nonfree does not qualify
150    as a free license.
151    </p>
152    
153    <p>
154    In order for these freedoms to be real, they must be permanent and
155    irrevocable as long as you do nothing wrong; if the developer of the
156    software has the power to revoke the license, or retroactively add
157    restrictions to its terms, without your doing anything wrong to give
158    cause, the software is not free.
159  </p>  </p>
160    
161  <p>  <p>
# Line 114  the central freedoms; rather it protects Line 168  the central freedoms; rather it protects
168  </p>  </p>
169    
170  <p>  <p>
171    &ldquo;Free software&rdquo; does not mean &ldquo;noncommercial&rdquo;.  A free
172    program must be available for commercial use, commercial development,
173    and commercial distribution.  Commercial development of free software
174    is no longer unusual; such free commercial software is very important.
175  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
176  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,
177  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 179  you always have the freedom to copy and
179  </p>  </p>
180    
181  <p>  <p>
182  <q>Free software</q> does not mean <q>non-commercial.</q>  A free  Whether a change constitutes an improvement is a subjective matter.
183  program must be available for commercial use, commercial development,  If your right to modify a program is limited, in substance, to changes that
184  and commercial distribution.  Commercial development of free software  someone else considers an improvement, that program is not free.
185  is no longer unusual; such free commercial software is very important.  </p>
186    
187    <p>
188    However, rules about how to package a modified version are acceptable,
189    if they don't substantively limit your freedom to release modified
190    versions, or your freedom to make and use modified versions privately.
191    Thus, it is acceptable for the license to require that you change the
192    name of the modified version, remove a logo, or identify your
193    modifications as yours.  As long as these requirements are not so
194    burdensome that they effectively hamper you from releasing your
195    changes, they are acceptable; you're already making other changes to
196    the program, so you won't have trouble making a few more.
197  </p>  </p>
198    
199  <p>  <p>
200  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
201  don't substantively block your freedom to release modified versions, or  must make it available in that way also&rdquo; can be acceptable too,
202  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
203  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  
204  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
205  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
206    whether to distribute your version at all.)  Rules that require release
207    of source code to the users for versions that you put into public use
208    are also acceptable.
209  </p>  </p>
210    
211  <p>  <p>
212    A special issue arises when a license requires changing the name by
213    which the program will be invoked from other programs.  That
214    effectively hampers you from releasing your changed version so that it
215    can replace the original when invoked by those other programs.  This
216    sort of requirement is acceptable only if there's a suitable aliasing
217    facility that allows you to specify the original program's name as an
218    alias for the modified version.</p>
219    
220    <p>
221  In the GNU project, we use  In the GNU project, we use
222  <q><a href="/copyleft/copyleft.html">copyleft</a></q>  <a href="/copyleft/copyleft.html">copyleft</a>
223  to protect these freedoms legally for everyone.  But  to protect these freedoms legally for everyone.  But
224  <a href="/philosophy/categories.html#Non-CopyleftedFreeSoftware">non-copylefted  <a href="/philosophy/categories.html#Non-CopyleftedFreeSoftware">noncopylefted
225  free software</a> also exists.  We believe there are important reasons why  free software</a> also exists.  We believe there are important reasons why
226  <a href="/philosophy/pragmatic.html"> it is better to use copyleft</a>,  <a href="/philosophy/pragmatic.html">it is better to use copyleft</a>,
227  but if your program is non-copylefted free software, we can still  but if your program is noncopylefted free software, it is still basically
228  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.  
229  </p>  </p>
230    
231  <p>  <p>
# Line 165  programs internationally.  Software deve Line 235  programs internationally.  Software deve
235  eliminate or override these restrictions, but what they can and must do  eliminate or override these restrictions, but what they can and must do
236  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
237  way, the restrictions will not affect activities and people outside the  way, the restrictions will not affect activities and people outside the
238  jurisdictions of these governments.  jurisdictions of these governments.  Thus, free software licenses
239    must not require obedience to any nontrivial export regulations as a
240    condition of exercising any of the essential freedoms.
241    </p>
242    
243    <p>
244    Merely mentioning the existence of export regulations, without making
245    them a condition of the license itself, is acceptable since it does
246    not restrict users.  If an export regulation is actually trivial for
247    free software, then requiring it as a condition is not an actual
248    problem; however, it is a potential problem, since a later change in
249    export law could make the requirement nontrivial and thus render the
250    software nonfree.
251    </p>
252    
253    <p>
254    It is acceptable for a free license to specify which jurisdiction's
255    law applies, or where litigation must be done, or both.
256  </p>  </p>
257    
258  <p>  <p>
# Line 176  is unlikely to have some other sort of p Line 263  is unlikely to have some other sort of p
263  (though this does happen occasionally).  However, some free software  (though this does happen occasionally).  However, some free software
264  licenses are based on contracts, and contracts can impose a much larger  licenses are based on contracts, and contracts can impose a much larger
265  range of possible restrictions.  That means there are many possible ways  range of possible restrictions.  That means there are many possible ways
266  such a license could be unacceptably restrictive and non-free.  such a license could be unacceptably restrictive and nonfree.
267  </p>  </p>
268    
269  <p>  <p>
# Line 184  We can't possibly list all the ways that Line 271  We can't possibly list all the ways that
271  contract-based license restricts the user in an unusual way that  contract-based license restricts the user in an unusual way that
272  copyright-based licenses cannot, and which isn't mentioned here as  copyright-based licenses cannot, and which isn't mentioned here as
273  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
274  it is non-free.  it is nonfree.
275  </p>  </p>
276    
277  <p>  <p>
278  When talking about free software, it is best to avoid using terms  When talking about free software, it is best to avoid using terms
279  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
280  the issue is about price, not freedom.  Some common terms such  the issue is about price, not freedom.  Some common terms such
281  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
282  <a href="/philosophy/words-to-avoid.html">Confusing Words and Phrases that  <a href="/philosophy/words-to-avoid.html">Confusing Words and Phrases that
283  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
284  a list of <a href="/philosophy/fs-translations.html">translations of  a list of proper <a href="/philosophy/fs-translations.html">translations of
285  <q>free software</q></a> into various languages.  &ldquo;free software&rdquo;</a> into various languages.
286  </p>  </p>
287    
288  <p>  <p>
# Line 221  listed there, you can ask us about it by Line 308  listed there, you can ask us about it by
308  </p>  </p>
309    
310  <p>  <p>
311  If you are contemplating writing a new license, please contact the FSF  If you are contemplating writing a new license, please contact the
312  by writing to that address. The proliferation of different free software  Free Software Foundation first by writing to that address. The
313  licenses means increased work for users in understanding the licenses;  proliferation of different free software licenses means increased work
314  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
315  meets your needs.  find an existing free software license that meets your needs.
316  </p>  </p>
317    
318  <p>  <p>
319  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
320  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
321  and avoid various practical problems.  and avoid various practical problems.
322  </p>  </p>
323    
324  <h2 id="beyond-software">Beyond Software</h2>  <h3 id="beyond-software">Beyond Software</h3>
325    
326  <p>  <p>
327  <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 333  manuals are in effect part of the softwa
333  The same arguments also make sense for other kinds of works of  The same arguments also make sense for other kinds of works of
334  practical use &mdash; that is to say, works that embody useful knowledge,  practical use &mdash; that is to say, works that embody useful knowledge,
335  such as educational works and reference  such as educational works and reference
336  works.  <a href="http://wikipedia.org">Wikipedia</a> is the best known  works.  <a href="http://wikipedia.org">Wikipedia</a> is the best-known
337  example.  example.
338  </p>  </p>
339    
# Line 256  has been extended to a definition of <a Line 343  has been extended to a definition of <a
343  free cultural works</a> applicable to any kind of works.  free cultural works</a> applicable to any kind of works.
344  </p>  </p>
345    
346  <h2 id="open-source">Open Source?</h2>  <h3 id="open-source">Open Source?</h3>
347    
348  <p>  <p>
349  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
350  something close (but not identical) to <q>free software.</q>  We  something close (but not identical) to &ldquo;free software&rdquo;.  We
351  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
352  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
353  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">
354  never refers to freedom</a>.  never refers to freedom</a>.
355  </p>  </p>
356    
357  </div>  <h3 id="History">History</h3>
358    
359    <p>From time to time we revise this Free Software Definition.  Here is
360    the list of substantive changes, along with links to show exactly what
361    was changed.</p>
362    
363  <!--#include virtual="/server/footer.html" -->  <ul>
364    
365  <div id="footer">  <li><a href="http://web.cvs.savannah.gnu.org/viewvc/www/philosophy/free-sw.html?root=www&amp;r1=1.128&amp;r2=1.129">Version
366    1.129</a>: State explicitly that choice of law and choice of forum
367    specifications are allowed.  (This was always our policy.)</li>
368    
369    <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
370    1.122</a>: An export control requirement is a real problem if the
371    requirement is nontrivial; otherwise it is only a potential problem.</li>
372    
373    <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
374    1.118</a>: Clarification: the issue is limits on your right to modify,
375    not on what modifications you have made.  And modifications are not limited
376    to &ldquo;improvements&rdquo;</li>
377    
378    <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
379    1.111</a>: Clarify 1.77 by saying that only
380    retroactive <em>restrictions</em> are unacceptable.  The copyright
381    holders can always grant additional <em>permission</em> for use of the
382    work by releasing the work in another way in parallel.</li>
383    
384    <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
385    1.105</a>: Reflect, in the brief statement of freedom 1, the point
386    (already stated in version 1.80) that it includes really using your modified
387    version for your computing.</li>
388    
389    <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
390    1.92</a>: Clarify that obfuscated code does not qualify as source code.</li>
391    
392    <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
393    1.90</a>: Clarify that freedom 3 means the right to distribute copies
394    of your own modified or improved version, not a right to participate
395    in someone else's development project.</li>
396    
397    <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
398    1.89</a>: Freedom 3 includes the right to release modified versions as
399    free software.</li>
400    
401    <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
402    1.80</a>: Freedom 1 must be practical, not just theoretical;
403    i.e., no tivoization.</li>
404    
405    <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
406    1.77</a>: Clarify that all retroactive changes to the license are
407    unacceptable, even if it's not described as a complete
408    replacement.</li>
409    
410    <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
411    1.74</a>: Four clarifications of points not explicit enough, or stated
412    in some places but not reflected everywhere:
413    <ul>
414    <li>"Improvements" does not mean the license can
415    substantively limit what kinds of modified versions you can release.
416    Freedom 3 includes distributing modified versions, not just changes.</li>
417    <li>The right to merge in existing modules
418    refers to those that are suitably licensed.</li>
419    <li>Explicitly state the conclusion of the point about export controls.</li>
420    <li>Imposing a license change constitutes revoking the old license.</li>
421    </ul>
422    </li>
423    
424  <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
425  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>  
426    
427  <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
428  Please see the  1.46</a>: Clarify whose purpose is significant in the freedom to run
429  <a href="/server/standards/README.translations">Translations  the program for any purpose.</li>
430  README</a> for information on coordinating and submitting  
431  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
432  </p>  1.41</a>: Clarify wording about contract-based licenses.</li>
433    
434    <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
435    1.40</a>: Explain that a free license must allow to you use other
436    available free software to create your modifications.</li>
437    
438    <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
439    1.39</a>: Note that it is acceptable for a license to require you to
440    provide source for versions of the software you put into public
441    use.</li>
442    
443    <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
444    1.31</a>: Note that it is acceptable for a license to require you to
445    identify yourself as the author of modifications.  Other minor
446    clarifications throughout the text.</li>
447    
448    <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
449    1.23</a>: Address potential problems related to contract-based
450    licenses.</li>
451    
452    <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
453    1.16</a>: Explain why distribution of binaries is important.</li>
454    
455    <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
456    1.11</a>: Note that a free license may require you to send a copy of
457    versions you distribute to the author.</li>
458    
459  <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>  
460    
461  <p>  <p>There are gaps in the version numbers shown above because there are
462  Updated:  other changes in this page that do not affect the definition or its
463    interpretations.  For instance, the list does not include changes in
464    asides, formatting, spelling, punctuation, or other parts of the page.
465    You can review the complete list of changes to the page through
466    the <a href="http://web.cvs.savannah.gnu.org/viewvc/www/philosophy/free-sw.html?root=www&amp;view=log">cvsweb
467    interface</a>.</p>
468    
469    
470    </div><!-- for id="content", starts in the include above -->
471    <!--#include virtual="/server/footer.html" -->
472    <div id="footer">
473    
474    <p>Please send general FSF &amp; GNU inquiries to
475    <a href="mailto:gnu@gnu.org">&lt;gnu@gnu.org&gt;</a>.
476    There are also <a href="/contact/">other ways to contact</a>
477    the FSF.  Broken links and other corrections or suggestions can be sent
478    to <a href="mailto:webmasters@gnu.org">&lt;webmasters@gnu.org&gt;</a>.</p>
479    
480    <p><!-- TRANSLATORS: Ignore the original text in this paragraph,
481            replace it with the translation of these two:
482    
483            We work hard and do our best to provide accurate, good quality
484            translations.  However, we are not exempt from imperfection.
485            Please send your comments and general suggestions in this regard
486            to <a href="mailto:web-translators@gnu.org">
487            &lt;web-translators@gnu.org&gt;</a>.</p>
488    
489            <p>For information on coordinating and submitting translations of
490            our web pages, see <a
491            href="/server/standards/README.translations.html">Translations
492            README</a>. -->
493    Please see the <a
494    href="/server/standards/README.translations.html">Translations
495    README</a> for information on coordinating and submitting translations
496    of this article.</p>
497    
498    <!-- Regarding copyright, in general, standalone pages (as opposed to
499         files generated as part of manuals) on the GNU web server should
500         be under CC BY-ND 3.0 US.  Please do NOT change or remove this
501         without talking with the webmasters or licensing team first.
502         Please make sure the copyright date is consistent with the
503         document.  For web pages, it is ok to list just the latest year the
504         document was modified, or published.
505        
506         If you wish to list earlier years, that is ok too.
507         Either "2001, 2002, 2003" or "2001-2003" are ok for specifying
508         years, as long as each year in the range is in fact a copyrightable
509         year, i.e., a year in which the document was published (including
510         being publicly visible on the web or in a revision control system).
511        
512         There is more detail about copyright years in the GNU Maintainers
513         Information document, www.gnu.org/prep/maintain. -->
514    
515    <p>Copyright &copy; 1996-2002, 2004-2007, 2009, 2010, 2012, 2013
516    Free Software Foundation, Inc.</p>
517    
518    <p>This page is licensed under a <a rel="license"
519    href="http://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-nd/3.0/us/">Creative
520    Commons Attribution-NoDerivs 3.0 United States License</a>.</p>
521    
522    <!--#include virtual="/server/bottom-notes.html" -->
523    
524    <p>Updated:
525  <!-- timestamp start -->  <!-- timestamp start -->
526  $Date$  $Date$
527  <!-- timestamp end -->  <!-- timestamp end -->
528  </p>  </p>
529  </div>  </div>
   
 <div id="translations">  
 <h3>Translations of this page:</h3>  
   
 <!-- Please keep this list alphabetical, and in the original -->  
 <!-- language if possible, otherwise default to English -->  
 <!-- If you do not have it English, please comment what the -->  
 <!-- English is.  If you add a new language here, please -->  
 <!-- advise web-translators@gnu.org and add it to -->  
 <!--    - in /home/www/bin/nightly-vars either TAGSLANG or WEBLANG -->  
 <!--    - in /home/www/html/server/standards/README.translations.html -->  
 <!--      one of the lists under the section "Translations Underway" -->  
 <!--    - if there is a translation team, you also have to add an alias -->  
 <!--      to mail.gnu.org:/com/mailer/aliases -->  
 <!-- Please also check you have the 2 letter language code right versus -->  
 <!--     http://www.w3.org/WAI/ER/IG/ert/iso639.htm -->  
 <ul class="translations-list">  
 <!-- Arabic -->  
 <li><a href="/philosophy/free-sw.ar.html">&#1575;&#1604;&#1593;&#1585;&#1576;&#1610;&#1577;</a>&nbsp;[ar]</li>  
 <!-- Azerbaijani -->  
 <li><a href="/philosophy/free-sw.az.html">Az&#x0259;rbaycanca</a>&nbsp;[az]</li>  
 <!-- Bulgarian -->  
 <li><a href="/philosophy/free-sw.bg.html">&#x431;&#x44A;&#x43B;&#x433;&#x430;&#x440;&#x441;&#x43A;&#x438;</a>&nbsp;[bg]</li>  
 <!-- Bengali -->  
 <li><a href="/philosophy/free-sw.bn.html">&#2476;&#2494;&#2434;&#2482;&#2494;</a>&nbsp;[bn]</li>  
 <!-- Bosnian -->  
 <li><a href="/philosophy/free-sw.bs.html">Bosanski</a>&nbsp;[bs]</li>  
 <!-- Catalan -->  
 <li><a href="/philosophy/free-sw.ca.html">Catal&#x00e0;</a>&nbsp;[ca]</li>  
 <!-- Czech -->  
 <li><a href="/philosophy/free-sw.cs.html">&#x010c;esky</a>&nbsp;[cs]</li>  
 <!-- Danish -->  
 <li><a href="/philosophy/free-sw.da.html">Dansk</a>&nbsp;[da]</li>  
 <!-- German -->  
 <li><a href="/philosophy/free-sw.de.html">Deutsch</a>&nbsp;[de]</li>  
 <!-- Greek -->  
 <li><a href="/philosophy/free-sw.el.html">&#x0395;&#x03bb;&#x03bb;&#x03b7;&#x03bd;&#x03b9;&#x03ba;&#x03ac;</a>&nbsp;[el]</li>  
 <!-- English -->  
 <li><a href="/philosophy/free-sw.html">English</a>&nbsp;[en]</li>  
 <!-- Esperanto -->  
 <li><a href="/philosophy/free-sw.eo.html">Esperanto</a>&nbsp;[eo]</li>  
 <!-- Spanish -->  
 <li><a href="/philosophy/free-sw.es.html">Espa&#x00f1;ol</a>&nbsp;[es]</li>  
 <!-- Farsi (Persian) -->  
 <li><a href="/philosophy/free-sw.fa.html">&#x0641;&#x0627;&#x0631;&#x0633;&#x06cc;</a>&nbsp;[fa]</li>  
 <!-- French -->  
 <li><a href="/philosophy/free-sw.fr.html">Fran&#x00e7;ais</a>&nbsp;[fr]</li>  
 <!-- Galician -->  
 <li><a href="/philosophy/free-sw.gl.html">Galego</a>&nbsp;[gl]</li>  
 <!-- Hebrew -->  
 <li><a href="/philosophy/free-sw.he.html">&#x05e2;&#x05d1;&#x05e8;&#x05d9;&#x05ea;</a>&nbsp;[he]</li>  
 <!-- Croatian -->  
 <li><a href="/philosophy/free-sw.hr.html">Hrvatski</a>&nbsp;[hr]</li>  
 <!-- Hungarian -->  
 <li><a href="/philosophy/free-sw.hu.html">Magyar</a>&nbsp;[hu]</li>  
 <!-- Indonesian -->  
 <li><a href="/philosophy/free-sw.id.html">Bahasa Indonesia</a>&nbsp;[id]</li>  
 <!-- Italian -->  
 <li><a href="/philosophy/free-sw.it.html">Italiano</a>&nbsp;[it]</li>  
 <!-- Japanese -->  
 <li><a href="/philosophy/free-sw.ja.html">&#x65e5;&#x672c;&#x8a9e;</a>&nbsp;[ja]</li>  
 <!-- Korean -->  
 <li><a href="/philosophy/free-sw.ko.html">&#xd55c;&#xad6d;&#xc5b4;</a>&nbsp;[ko]</li>  
 <!-- Dutch -->  
 <li><a href="/philosophy/free-sw.nl.html">Nederlands</a>&nbsp;[nl]</li>  
 <!-- Norwegian -->  
 <li><a href="/philosophy/free-sw.no.html">Norsk</a>&nbsp;[no]</li>  
 <!-- Polish -->  
 <li><a href="/philosophy/free-sw.pl.html">Polski</a>&nbsp;[pl]</li>  
 <!-- Portuguese -->  
 <li><a href="/philosophy/free-sw.pt.html">Portugu&#x0ea;s</a>&nbsp;[pt]</li>  
 <!-- Romanian -->  
 <li><a href="/philosophy/free-sw.ro.html">Rom&#x00e2;n&#x0103;</a>&nbsp;[ro]</li>  
 <!-- Russian -->  
 <li><a href="/philosophy/free-sw.ru.html">&#1056;&#1091;&#1089;&#1089;&#1082;&#1080;&#1081;</a>&nbsp;[ru]</li>  
 <!--- Slovenian -->  
 <li><a href="/philosophy/free-sw.sl.html">Slovinsko</a>&nbsp;[sl]</li>  
 <!-- Serbian -->  
 <li><a href="/philosophy/free-sw.sr.html">&#x0421;&#x0440;&#x043f;&#x0441;&#x043a;&#x0438;</a>&nbsp;[sr]</li>  
 <!-- Swedish -->  
 <li><a href="/philosophy/free-sw.sv.html">Svenska</a>&nbsp;[sv]</li>  
 <!-- Tagalog -->  
 <li><a href="/philosophy/free-sw.tl.html">Tagalog</a>&nbsp;[tl]</li>  
 <!-- Turkish -->  
 <li><a href="/philosophy/free-sw.tr.html">T&#x00fc;rk&#x00e7;e</a>&nbsp;[tr]</li>  
 <!-- Chinese (Simplified) -->  
 <li><a href="/philosophy/free-sw.zh-cn.html">&#x7b80;&#x4f53;&#x4e2d;&#x6587;</a>&nbsp;[zh-cn]</li>  
 <!-- Chinese (Traditional) -->  
 <li><a href="/philosophy/free-sw.zh-tw.html">&#x7e41;&#x9ad4;&#x4e2d;&#x6587;</a>&nbsp;[zh-tw]</li>  
 </ul>  
530  </div>  </div>
   
 </div>  
   
531  </body>  </body>
532  </html>  </html>

Legend:
Removed from v.1.63  
changed lines
  Added in v.1.129

savannah-hackers-public@gnu.org
ViewVC Help
Powered by ViewVC 1.1.26