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3  <HEAD>  <title>What is free software?
4  <TITLE>The Free Software Definition - GNU Project - Free Software Foundation (FSF)</TITLE>  - GNU Project - Free Software Foundation</title>
5  <LINK REV="made" HREF="mailto:webmasters@www.gnu.org">  
6  </HEAD>  <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  <BODY BGCOLOR="#FFFFFF" TEXT="#000000" LINK="#1F00FF" ALINK="#FF0000" VLINK="#9900DD">  <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." />
8  <H3>The Free Software Definition</H3>  
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11     ALT=" [image of a Philosophical Gnu] "  
12     WIDTH="160" HEIGHT="200"></A>  <h2>What is free software?</h2>
13    
14  [  <h3>The Free Software Definition</h3>
15  <!-- Please keep this list alphabetical -->  
16  <!-- PLEASE UPDATE THE LIST AT THE BOTTOM (OR TOP) OF THE PAGE TOO! -->  <blockquote>
17  <A HREF="/philosophy/free-sw.hr.html">Croatian</A>  <p>
18  | <A HREF="/philosophy/free-sw.cs.html">Czech</A>  The free software definition presents the criteria for whether a
19  | <A HREF="/philosophy/free-sw.da.html">Danish</A>  particular software program qualifies as free software.  From time to
20  | <A HREF="/philosophy/free-sw.nl.html">Dutch</A>  time we revise this definition, to clarify it or to resolve questions
21  | <A HREF="/philosophy/free-sw.html">English</A>  about subtle issues.  See the <a href="#History">History section</a>
22  | <A HREF="/philosophy/free-sw.fr.html">French</A>  below for a list of changes that affect the definition of free
23  | <A HREF="/philosophy/free-sw.gl.html">Galician</A>  software.
24  | <A HREF="/philosophy/free-sw.de.html">German</A>  </p>
25  | <A HREF="/philosophy/free-sw.hu.html">Hungarian</A>  </blockquote>
26  | <A HREF="/philosophy/free-sw.id.html">Indonesian</A>  
27  | <A HREF="/philosophy/free-sw.it.html">Italian</A>  <p>
28  | <A HREF="/philosophy/free-sw.ja.html">Japanese</A>  &ldquo;Free software&rdquo; means software that respects users'
29  | <A HREF="/philosophy/free-sw.ko.html">Korean</A>  freedom and community.  Roughly, it means that <b>the users have the
30  | <A HREF="/philosophy/free-sw.no.html">Norwegian</A>  freedom to run, copy, distribute, study, change and improve the
31  | <A HREF="/philosophy/free-sw.pl.html">Polish</A>  software</b>.  Thus, &ldquo;free software&rdquo; is a matter of
32  | <A HREF="/philosophy/free-sw.pt.html">Portuguese</A>  liberty, not price.  To understand the concept, you should think of
33  | <A HREF="/philosophy/free-sw.ru.html">Russian</A>  &ldquo;free&rdquo; as in &ldquo;free speech,&rdquo; not as in
34  | <A HREF="/philosophy/free-sw.sl.html">Slovenian</A>  &ldquo;free beer&rdquo;.
35  | <A HREF="/philosophy/free-sw.es.html">Spanish</A>  </p>
36  | <A HREF="/philosophy/free-sw.tr.html">Turkish</A>  
37  <!-- Please keep this list alphabetical -->  <p>
38  <!-- PLEASE UPDATE THE LIST AT THE BOTTOM (OR TOP) OF THE PAGE TOO! -->  We campaign for these freedoms because everyone deserves them.  With
39  ]  these freedoms, the users (both individually and collectively) control
40  <P>  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  We maintain this free software definition to show clearly what must be  &ldquo;proprietary&rdquo; program.  The nonfree program controls the
43  true about a particular software program for it to be considered  users, and the developer controls the program; this makes the
44  free software.  program <a href="/philosophy/free-software-even-more-important.html">
45    an instrument of unjust power</a>.
46  <P>  </p>
47    
48  ``Free software'' is a matter of liberty, not price.  To understand the  <p>
49  concept, you should think of ``free'' as in ``free speech,'' not as in  A program is free software if the program's users have the
50  ``free beer.''  four essential freedoms:
51  <P>  </p>
52  Free software is a matter of the users' freedom to run, copy,  
53  distribute, study, change and improve the software.  More precisely,  <ul>
54  it refers to four kinds of freedom, for the users of the software:    <li>The freedom to run the program, for any purpose (freedom 0).</li>
55  <P>    <li>The freedom to study how the program works, and change it so it
56          does your computing as you wish (freedom 1). Access to the source
57  <UL>        code is a precondition for this.
58    <LI>The freedom to run the program, for any purpose (freedom 0).    </li>
59    <LI>The freedom to study how the program works, and adapt it to your needs    <li>The freedom to redistribute copies so you can help your neighbor
       (freedom 1).   Access to the source code is a precondition for this.  
   <LI>The freedom to redistribute copies so you can help your neighbor  
60        (freedom 2).        (freedom 2).
61    <LI>The freedom to improve the program, and release your improvements    </li>
62       to the public, so that the whole community benefits.    <li>The freedom to distribute copies of your modified versions
63        (freedom 3).   Access to the source code is a precondition for this.        to others (freedom 3).  By doing this you can give the whole
64  </UL>        community a chance to benefit from your changes.
65          Access to the source code is a precondition for this.
66  <P>    </li>
67  A program is free software if users have all of these freedoms.  </ul>
68  Thus, you should be free to redistribute copies, either with or  
69  without modifications, either gratis or charging a fee for  <p>
70  distribution, to <A HREF="#exportcontrol">anyone anywhere</A>.  Being  A program is free software if it gives users adequately all of these
71  free to do these things means (among other things) that you do not  freedoms.  Otherwise, it is nonfree.  While we can distinguish various
72  have to ask or pay for permission.  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
82    things means (among other things) that you do not have to ask or pay
83    for permission to do so.
84    </p>
85    
86  <P>  <p>
87  You should also have the freedom to make modifications and use them  You should also have the freedom to make modifications and use them
88  privately in your own work or play, without even mentioning that they  privately in your own work or play, without even mentioning that they
89  exist.  If you do publish your changes, you should not be required to  exist.  If you do publish your changes, you should not be required to
90  notify anyone in particular, or in any particular way.  notify anyone in particular, or in any particular way.
91    </p>
92    
93  <P>  <p>
94  The freedom to use a program means the freedom for any kind of person  The freedom to run the program means the freedom for any kind of person
95  or organization to use it on any kind of computer system, for any kind  or organization to use it on any kind of computer system, for any kind of
96  of overall job, and without being required to communicate subsequently  overall job and purpose, without being required to communicate about it
97  with the developer or any other specific entity.  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>
99    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
101    for her purposes, but you are not entitled to impose your purposes on her.
102    </p>
103    
104    <p>
105    The freedom to run the program as you wish means that you are not
106    forbidden or stopped from doing so.  It has nothing to do with what
107    functionality the program has, or whether it is useful for what you
108    want to do.</p>
109    
110  <P>  <p>
111  The freedom to redistribute copies must include binary or executable  The freedom to redistribute copies must include binary or executable
112  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
113  unmodified versions.  (Distributing programs in runnable form is  unmodified versions.  (Distributing programs in runnable form is necessary
114  necessary for conveniently installable free operating systems.)  It is  for conveniently installable free operating systems.)  It is OK if there
115  ok if there is no way to produce a binary or executable form for a  is no way to produce a binary or executable form for a certain program
116  certain program (since some languages don't support that feature), but  (since some languages don't support that feature), but you must have the
117  you must have the freedom to redistribute such forms should you find  freedom to redistribute such forms should you find or develop a way to
118  or develop a way to make them.  make them.
119    </p>
120  <P>  
121  In order for the freedoms to make changes, and to publish improved  <p>
122  versions, to be meaningful, you must have access to the source code of  In order for freedoms 1 and 3 (the freedom to make changes and the
123  the program.  Therefore, accessibility of source code is a necessary  freedom to publish the changed versions) to be meaningful, you must have
124  condition for free software.  access to the source code of the program.  Therefore, accessibility of
125    source code is a necessary condition for free software.  Obfuscated
126  <P>  &ldquo;source code&rdquo; is not real source code and does not count
127  In order for these freedoms to be real, they must be irrevocable as  as source code.
128  long as you do nothing wrong; if the developer of the software has the  </p>
129  power to revoke the license, without your doing anything to give  
130    <p>
131    Freedom 1 includes the freedom to use your changed version in place of
132    the original.  If the program is delivered in a product designed to
133    run someone else's modified versions but refuse to run yours &mdash; a
134    practice known as &ldquo;tivoization&rdquo; or &ldquo;lockdown&rdquo;,
135    or (in its practitioners' perverse terminology) as &ldquo;secure
136    boot&rdquo; &mdash; freedom 1 becomes a theoretical fiction rather
137    than a practical freedom.  This is not sufficient.  In other words,
138    these binaries are not free software even if the source code they are
139    compiled from is free.
140    </p>
141    
142    <p>
143    One important way to modify a program is by merging in available free
144    subroutines and modules.  If the program's license says that you
145    cannot merge in a suitably licensed existing module &mdash; for instance, if it
146    requires you to be the copyright holder of any code you add &mdash; then the
147    license is too restrictive to qualify as free.
148    </p>
149    
150    <p>
151    Freedom 3 includes the freedom to release your modified versions
152    as free software.  A free license may also permit other ways of
153    releasing them; in other words, it does not have to be
154    a <a href="/copyleft/copyleft.html">copyleft</a> license.  However, a
155    license that requires modified versions to be nonfree does not qualify
156    as a free license.
157    </p>
158    
159    <p>
160    In order for these freedoms to be real, they must be permanent and
161    irrevocable as long as you do nothing wrong; if the developer of the
162    software has the power to revoke the license, or retroactively add
163    restrictions to its terms, without your doing anything wrong to give
164  cause, the software is not free.  cause, the software is not free.
165    </p>
166    
167  <P>  <p>
168  However, certain kinds of rules about the manner of distributing free  However, certain kinds of rules about the manner of distributing free
169  software are acceptable, when they don't conflict with the central  software are acceptable, when they don't conflict with the central
170  freedoms.  For example, copyleft (very simply stated) is the rule that  freedoms.  For example, copyleft (very simply stated) is the rule that
171  when redistributing the program, you cannot add restrictions to deny  when redistributing the program, you cannot add restrictions to deny
172  other people the central freedoms.  This rule does not conflict with  other people the central freedoms.  This rule does not conflict with
173  the central freedoms; rather it protects them.  the central freedoms; rather it protects them.
174    </p>
175    
176  <P>  <p>
177  Thus, you may have paid money to get copies of GNU software, or you  In the GNU project, we use <a href="/copyleft/copyleft.html">
178  may have obtained copies at no charge.  But regardless of how you got  copyleft </a> to protect the four freedoms legally for everyone.  We
179  your copies, you always have the freedom to copy and change the  believe there are important reasons why
180  software, even to <A HREF="/philosophy/selling.html">sell copies</A>.  <a href="/philosophy/pragmatic.html">it is better to use
181  <P>  copyleft</a>.  However,
182    <a href="/philosophy/categories.html#Non-CopyleftedFreeSoftware">
183  ``Free software'' does not mean ``non-commercial''.  A free program  noncopylefted free software</a> is ethical
184  must be available for commercial use, commercial development, and  too.  See <a href="/philosophy/categories.html">Categories of Free
185  commercial distribution.  Commercial development of free software is  Software</a> for a description of how &ldquo;free software,&rdquo;
186  no longer unusual; such free commercial software is very important.  &ldquo;copylefted software&rdquo; and other categories of software
187    relate to each other.
188  <P>  </p>
189  Rules about how to package a modified version are acceptable, if they  
190  don't effectively block your freedom to release modified versions.  <p>
191  Rules that ``if you make the program available in this way, you must  &ldquo;Free software&rdquo; does not mean &ldquo;noncommercial&rdquo;.  A free
192  make it available in that way also'' can be acceptable too, on the  program must be available for commercial use, commercial development,
193  same condition.  (Note that such a rule still leaves you the choice of  and commercial distribution.  Commercial development of free software
194  whether to publish the program or not.)  It is also acceptable for the  is no longer unusual; such free commercial software is very important.
195  license to require that, if you have distributed a modified version  You may have paid money to get copies of free software, or you may have
196  and a previous developer asks for a copy of it, you must send one.  obtained copies at no charge.  But regardless of how you got your copies,
197    you always have the freedom to copy and change the software, even to
198  <P>  <a href="/philosophy/selling.html">sell copies</a>.
199  In the GNU project, we use <A HREF="/copyleft/copyleft.html">  </p>
200  ``copyleft''</A> to protect these freedoms legally for everyone.  But  
201  <A HREF="/philosophy/categories.html#Non-CopyleftedFreeSoftware">  <p>
202  non-copylefted free software</A> also exists.  We believe there are  Whether a change constitutes an improvement is a subjective matter.
203  important reasons why <A HREF="/philosophy/pragmatic.html"> it is  If your right to modify a program is limited, in substance, to changes that
204  better to use copyleft</A>, but if your program is non-copylefted free  someone else considers an improvement, that program is not free.
205  software, we can still use it.  </p>
206    
207  <P>  <p>
208  See <A HREF="/philosophy/categories.html">Categories of Free Software  However, rules about how to package a modified version are acceptable,
209         (18k characters)</A>  if they don't substantively limit your freedom to release modified
210  for a description of how ``free software,'' ``copylefted software'' and  versions, or your freedom to make and use modified versions privately.
211  other categories of software relate to each other.  Thus, it is acceptable for the license to require that you change the
212    name of the modified version, remove a logo, or identify your
213  <P>  modifications as yours.  As long as these requirements are not so
214  Sometimes government <A NAME="exportcontrol">export control  burdensome that they effectively hamper you from releasing your
215  regulations</A> and trade sanctions can constrain your freedom to  changes, they are acceptable; you're already making other changes to
216  distribute copies of programs internationally.  Software developers do  the program, so you won't have trouble making a few more.
217  not have the power to eliminate or override these restrictions, but  </p>
218  what they can and must do is refuse to impose them as conditions of  
219  use of the program.  In this way, the restrictions will not affect  <p>
220  activities and people outside the jurisdictions of these governments.  Rules that &ldquo;if you make your version available in this way, you
221    must make it available in that way also&rdquo; can be acceptable too,
222  <P>  on the same condition.  An example of such an acceptable rule is one
223  When talking about free software, it is best to avoid using terms like  saying that if you have distributed a
224  ``give away'' or ``for free'', because those terms imply that the  modified version and a previous developer asks for a copy of it, you
225  issue is about price, not freedom.  Some common terms such as  must send one.  (Note that such a rule still leaves you the choice of
226  ``piracy'' embody opinions we hope you won't endorse.  See <A  whether to distribute your version at all.)  Rules that require release
227  HREF="/philosophy/words-to-avoid.html">Confusing Words and Phrases  of source code to the users for versions that you put into public use
228  that are Worth Avoiding</A> for a discussion of these terms.  are also acceptable.
229  We also have a list of <A HREF="/philosophy/fs-translations.html">translations  </p>
230  of "free software"</A> into various languages.  
231    <p>
232  <P>  A special issue arises when a license requires changing the name by
233    which the program will be invoked from other programs.  That
234    effectively hampers you from releasing your changed version so that it
235    can replace the original when invoked by those other programs.  This
236    sort of requirement is acceptable only if there's a suitable aliasing
237    facility that allows you to specify the original program's name as an
238    alias for the modified version.</p>
239    
240    <p>
241    Sometimes government <a id="exportcontrol">export control regulations</a>
242    and trade sanctions can constrain your freedom to distribute copies of
243    programs internationally.  Software developers do not have the power to
244    eliminate or override these restrictions, but what they can and must do
245    is refuse to impose them as conditions of use of the program.  In this
246    way, the restrictions will not affect activities and people outside the
247    jurisdictions of these governments.  Thus, free software licenses
248    must not require obedience to any nontrivial export regulations as a
249    condition of exercising any of the essential freedoms.
250    </p>
251    
252    <p>
253    Merely mentioning the existence of export regulations, without making
254    them a condition of the license itself, is acceptable since it does
255    not restrict users.  If an export regulation is actually trivial for
256    free software, then requiring it as a condition is not an actual
257    problem; however, it is a potential problem, since a later change in
258    export law could make the requirement nontrivial and thus render the
259    software nonfree.
260    </p>
261    
262    <p>
263    A free license may not require compliance with the license of a
264    nonfree program.  Thus, for instance, if a license requires you to
265    comply with the licenses of &ldquo;all the programs you use&rdquo;, in
266    the case of a user that runs nonfree programs this would require
267    compliance with the licenses of those nonfree programs; that makes the
268    license nonfree.
269    </p>
270    
271    <p>
272    It is acceptable for a free license to specify which jurisdiction's
273    law applies, or where litigation must be done, or both.
274    </p>
275    
276    <p>
277    Most free software licenses are based on copyright, and there are limits
278    on what kinds of requirements can be imposed through copyright.  If a
279    copyright-based license respects freedom in the ways described above, it
280    is unlikely to have some other sort of problem that we never anticipated
281    (though this does happen occasionally).  However, some free software
282    licenses are based on contracts, and contracts can impose a much larger
283    range of possible restrictions.  That means there are many possible ways
284    such a license could be unacceptably restrictive and nonfree.
285    </p>
286    
287    <p>
288    We can't possibly list all the ways that might happen.  If a
289    contract-based license restricts the user in an unusual way that
290    copyright-based licenses cannot, and which isn't mentioned here as
291    legitimate, we will have to think about it, and we will probably conclude
292    it is nonfree.
293    </p>
294    
295    <p>
296    When talking about free software, it is best to avoid using terms
297    like &ldquo;give away&rdquo; or &ldquo;for free,&rdquo; because those terms imply that
298    the issue is about price, not freedom.  Some common terms such
299    as &ldquo;piracy&rdquo; embody opinions we hope you won't endorse.  See
300    <a href="/philosophy/words-to-avoid.html">Confusing Words and Phrases that
301    are Worth Avoiding</a> for a discussion of these terms.  We also have
302    a list of proper <a href="/philosophy/fs-translations.html">translations of
303    &ldquo;free software&rdquo;</a> into various languages.
304    </p>
305    
306    <p>
307  Finally, note that criteria such as those stated in this free software  Finally, note that criteria such as those stated in this free software
308  definition require careful thought for their interpretation.  To  definition require careful thought for their interpretation.  To decide
309  decide whether a specific software license qualifies as a free  whether a specific software license qualifies as a free software license,
310  software license, we judge it based on these criteria to determine  we judge it based on these criteria to determine whether it fits their
311  whether it fits their spirit as well as the precise words.  If a  spirit as well as the precise words.  If a license includes unconscionable
312  license includes unconscionable restrictions, we reject it, even if we  restrictions, we reject it, even if we did not anticipate the issue
313  did not anticipate the issue in these criteria.  Sometimes a license  in these criteria.  Sometimes a license requirement raises an issue
314  requirement raises an issue that calls for extensive thought,  that calls for extensive thought, including discussions with a lawyer,
315  including discussions with a lawyer, before we can decide if the  before we can decide if the requirement is acceptable.  When we reach
316  requirement is acceptable.  When we reach a conclusion about a new  a conclusion about a new issue, we often update these criteria to make
317  issue, we often update these criteria to make it easier to see why  it easier to see why certain licenses do or don't qualify.
318  certain licenses do or don't qualify.  </p>
319    
320  <P>  <p>
321    If you are interested in whether a specific license qualifies as a free
322  If you are interested in whether a specific license qualifies as a  software license, see our <a href="/licenses/license-list.html">list
323  free software license, see our <A  of licenses</a>.  If the license you are concerned with is not
324  HREF="/licenses/license-list.html">list of licenses</A>.  If the  listed there, you can ask us about it by sending us email at
325  license you are concerned with is not listed there, you can ask us  <a href="mailto:licensing@gnu.org">&lt;licensing@gnu.org&gt;</a>.
326  about it by sending us email at <A  </p>
327  HREF="mailto:licensing@gnu.org">&lt;licensing@gnu.org&gt;</A>.  
328    <p>
329  <HR>  If you are contemplating writing a new license, please contact the
330    Free Software Foundation first by writing to that address. The
331  <H4><A HREF="/philosophy/philosophy.html">Other Texts to Read</A></H4>  proliferation of different free software licenses means increased work
332    for users in understanding the licenses; we may be able to help you
333  <P>  find an existing free software license that meets your needs.
334  Another group has started using the term "open source" to mean  </p>
335  something close (but not identical) to "free software".  We prefer the  
336  term "free software" because, once you have heard it refers to freedom  <p>
337  rather than price, <A HREF="free-software-for-freedom.html">it calls  If that isn't possible, if you really need a new license, with our
338  to mind freedom</A>.  help you can ensure that the license really is a free software license
339    and avoid various practical problems.
340  <HR>  </p>
341  [  
342  <!-- Please keep this list alphabetical -->  <h3 id="beyond-software">Beyond Software</h3>
343  <!-- PLEASE UPDATE THE LIST AT THE BOTTOM (OR TOP) OF THE PAGE TOO! -->  
344  <A HREF="/philosophy/free-sw.hr.html">Croatian</A>  <p>
345  | <A HREF="/philosophy/free-sw.cs.html">Czech</A>  <a href="/philosophy/free-doc.html">Software manuals must be free</a>,
346  | <A HREF="/philosophy/free-sw.da.html">Danish</A>  for the same reasons that software must be free, and because the
347  | <A HREF="/philosophy/free-sw.nl.html">Dutch</A>  manuals are in effect part of the software.
348  | <A HREF="/philosophy/free-sw.html">English</A>  </p>
349  | <A HREF="/philosophy/free-sw.fr.html">French</A>  
350  | <A HREF="/philosophy/free-sw.gl.html">Galician</A>  <p>
351  | <A HREF="/philosophy/free-sw.de.html">German</A>  The same arguments also make sense for other kinds of works of
352  | <A HREF="/philosophy/free-sw.hu.html">Hungarian</A>  practical use &mdash; that is to say, works that embody useful knowledge,
353  | <A HREF="/philosophy/free-sw.id.html">Indonesian</A>  such as educational works and reference
354  | <A HREF="/philosophy/free-sw.it.html">Italian</A>  works.  <a href="http://wikipedia.org">Wikipedia</a> is the best-known
355  | <A HREF="/philosophy/free-sw.ja.html">Japanese</A>  example.
356  | <A HREF="/philosophy/free-sw.ko.html">Korean</A>  </p>
357  | <A HREF="/philosophy/free-sw.no.html">Norwegian</A>  
358  | <A HREF="/philosophy/free-sw.pl.html">Polish</A>  <p>
359  | <A HREF="/philosophy/free-sw.pt.html">Portuguese</A>  Any kind of work <em>can</em> be free, and the definition of free software
360  | <A HREF="/philosophy/free-sw.ru.html">Russian</A>  has been extended to a definition of <a href="http://freedomdefined.org/">
361  | <A HREF="/philosophy/free-sw.sl.html">Slovenian</A>        free cultural works</a> applicable to any kind of works.
362  | <A HREF="/philosophy/free-sw.es.html">Spanish</A>  </p>
363  | <A HREF="/philosophy/free-sw.tr.html">Turkish</A>  
364  <!-- Please keep this list alphabetical -->  <h3 id="open-source">Open Source?</h3>
365  <!-- PLEASE UPDATE THE LIST AT THE BOTTOM (OR TOP) OF THE PAGE TOO! -->  
366  ]  <p>
367  <P>  Another group has started using the term &ldquo;open source&rdquo; to mean
368  Return to <A HREF="/home.html">GNU's home page</A>.  something close (but not identical) to &ldquo;free software&rdquo;.  We
369  <P>  prefer the term &ldquo;free software&rdquo; because, once you have heard that
370    it refers to freedom rather than price, it calls to mind freedom.  The
371  Please send FSF &amp; GNU inquiries &amp; questions to  word &ldquo;open&rdquo; <a href="/philosophy/open-source-misses-the-point.html">
372    never refers to freedom</a>.
373  <A HREF="mailto:gnu@gnu.org"><EM>gnu@gnu.org</EM></A>.  </p>
374  There are also <A HREF="/home.html#ContactInfo">other ways to  
375  contact</A> the FSF.  <h3 id="History">History</h3>
376  <P>  
377    <p>From time to time we revise this Free Software Definition.  Here is
378  Please send comments on these web pages to  the list of substantive changes, along with links to show exactly what
379    was changed.</p>
380  <A HREF="mailto:webmasters@gnu.org"><EM>webmasters@gnu.org</EM></A>,  
381  send other questions to  <ul>
382  <A HREF="mailto:gnu@gnu.org"><EM>gnu@gnu.org</EM></A>.  
383  <P>  <li><a href="http://web.cvs.savannah.gnu.org/viewvc/www/philosophy/free-sw.html?root=www&amp;r1=1.133&amp;r2=1.134">Version
384  Copyright (C) 1996, 1997, 1998, 1999, 2000, 2001 Free Software Foundation, Inc.,  1.134</a>: Freedom 0 is not a matter of the program's functionality.</li>
385  59 Temple Place - Suite 330, Boston, MA  02111,  USA  
386  <P>  <li><a href="http://web.cvs.savannah.gnu.org/viewvc/www/philosophy/free-sw.html?root=www&amp;r1=1.130&amp;r2=1.131">Version
387  Verbatim copying and distribution of this entire article is  1.131</a>: A free license may not require compliance with a nonfree license
388  permitted in any medium, provided this notice is preserved.  of another program.</li>
389  <P>  
390  Updated:  <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
391    1.129</a>: State explicitly that choice of law and choice of forum
392    specifications are allowed.  (This was always our policy.)</li>
393    
394    <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
395    1.122</a>: An export control requirement is a real problem if the
396    requirement is nontrivial; otherwise it is only a potential problem.</li>
397    
398    <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
399    1.118</a>: Clarification: the issue is limits on your right to modify,
400    not on what modifications you have made.  And modifications are not limited
401    to &ldquo;improvements&rdquo;</li>
402    
403    <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
404    1.111</a>: Clarify 1.77 by saying that only
405    retroactive <em>restrictions</em> are unacceptable.  The copyright
406    holders can always grant additional <em>permission</em> for use of the
407    work by releasing the work in another way in parallel.</li>
408    
409    <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
410    1.105</a>: Reflect, in the brief statement of freedom 1, the point
411    (already stated in version 1.80) that it includes really using your modified
412    version for your computing.</li>
413    
414    <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
415    1.92</a>: Clarify that obfuscated code does not qualify as source code.</li>
416    
417    <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
418    1.90</a>: Clarify that freedom 3 means the right to distribute copies
419    of your own modified or improved version, not a right to participate
420    in someone else's development project.</li>
421    
422    <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
423    1.89</a>: Freedom 3 includes the right to release modified versions as
424    free software.</li>
425    
426    <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
427    1.80</a>: Freedom 1 must be practical, not just theoretical;
428    i.e., no tivoization.</li>
429    
430    <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
431    1.77</a>: Clarify that all retroactive changes to the license are
432    unacceptable, even if it's not described as a complete
433    replacement.</li>
434    
435    <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
436    1.74</a>: Four clarifications of points not explicit enough, or stated
437    in some places but not reflected everywhere:
438    <ul>
439    <li>"Improvements" does not mean the license can
440    substantively limit what kinds of modified versions you can release.
441    Freedom 3 includes distributing modified versions, not just changes.</li>
442    <li>The right to merge in existing modules
443    refers to those that are suitably licensed.</li>
444    <li>Explicitly state the conclusion of the point about export controls.</li>
445    <li>Imposing a license change constitutes revoking the old license.</li>
446    </ul>
447    </li>
448    
449    <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
450    1.57</a>: Add &quot;Beyond Software&quot; section.</li>
451    
452    <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
453    1.46</a>: Clarify whose purpose is significant in the freedom to run
454    the program for any purpose.</li>
455    
456    <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
457    1.41</a>: Clarify wording about contract-based licenses.</li>
458    
459    <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
460    1.40</a>: Explain that a free license must allow to you use other
461    available free software to create your modifications.</li>
462    
463    <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
464    1.39</a>: Note that it is acceptable for a license to require you to
465    provide source for versions of the software you put into public
466    use.</li>
467    
468    <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
469    1.31</a>: Note that it is acceptable for a license to require you to
470    identify yourself as the author of modifications.  Other minor
471    clarifications throughout the text.</li>
472    
473    <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
474    1.23</a>: Address potential problems related to contract-based
475    licenses.</li>
476    
477    <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
478    1.16</a>: Explain why distribution of binaries is important.</li>
479    
480    <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
481    1.11</a>: Note that a free license may require you to send a copy of
482    versions you distribute to the author.</li>
483    
484    </ul>
485    
486    <p>There are gaps in the version numbers shown above because there are
487    other changes in this page that do not affect the definition or its
488    interpretations.  For instance, the list does not include changes in
489    asides, formatting, spelling, punctuation, or other parts of the page.
490    You can review the complete list of changes to the page through
491    the <a href="http://web.cvs.savannah.gnu.org/viewvc/www/philosophy/free-sw.html?root=www&amp;view=log">cvsweb
492    interface</a>.</p>
493    
494    
495    </div><!-- for id="content", starts in the include above -->
496    <!--#include virtual="/server/footer.html" -->
497    <div id="footer">
498    <div class="unprintable">
499    
500    <p>Please send general FSF &amp; GNU inquiries to
501    <a href="mailto:gnu@gnu.org">&lt;gnu@gnu.org&gt;</a>.
502    There are also <a href="/contact/">other ways to contact</a>
503    the FSF.  Broken links and other corrections or suggestions can be sent
504    to <a href="mailto:webmasters@gnu.org">&lt;webmasters@gnu.org&gt;</a>.</p>
505    
506    <p><!-- TRANSLATORS: Ignore the original text in this paragraph,
507            replace it with the translation of these two:
508    
509            We work hard and do our best to provide accurate, good quality
510            translations.  However, we are not exempt from imperfection.
511            Please send your comments and general suggestions in this regard
512            to <a href="mailto:web-translators@gnu.org">
513            &lt;web-translators@gnu.org&gt;</a>.</p>
514    
515            <p>For information on coordinating and submitting translations of
516            our web pages, see <a
517            href="/server/standards/README.translations.html">Translations
518            README</a>. -->
519    Please see the <a
520    href="/server/standards/README.translations.html">Translations
521    README</a> for information on coordinating and submitting translations
522    of this article.</p>
523    </div>
524    
525    <!-- Regarding copyright, in general, standalone pages (as opposed to
526         files generated as part of manuals) on the GNU web server should
527         be under CC BY-ND 3.0 US.  Please do NOT change or remove this
528         without talking with the webmasters or licensing team first.
529         Please make sure the copyright date is consistent with the
530         document.  For web pages, it is ok to list just the latest year the
531         document was modified, or published.
532        
533         If you wish to list earlier years, that is ok too.
534         Either "2001, 2002, 2003" or "2001-2003" are ok for specifying
535         years, as long as each year in the range is in fact a copyrightable
536         year, i.e., a year in which the document was published (including
537         being publicly visible on the web or in a revision control system).
538        
539         There is more detail about copyright years in the GNU Maintainers
540         Information document, www.gnu.org/prep/maintain. -->
541    
542    <p>Copyright &copy; 1996-2002, 2004-2007, 2009, 2010, 2012, 2013
543    Free Software Foundation, Inc.</p>
544    
545    <p>This page is licensed under a <a rel="license"
546    href="http://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-nd/3.0/us/">Creative
547    Commons Attribution-NoDerivs 3.0 United States License</a>.</p>
548    
549    <!--#include virtual="/server/bottom-notes.html" -->
550    
551    <p class="unprintable">Updated:
552  <!-- timestamp start -->  <!-- timestamp start -->
553  $Date$ $Author$  $Date$
554  <!-- timestamp end -->  <!-- timestamp end -->
555  <HR>  </p>
556  </BODY>  </div>
557  </HTML>  </div>
558    </body>
559    </html>
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