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1  <!--#include virtual="/server/header.html" -->  <!--#include virtual="/server/header.html" -->
2    <!-- Parent-Version: 1.76 -->
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." />
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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  You may have paid money to get copies of free software, or you may have  In the GNU project, we use <a href="/copyleft/copyleft.html">
172  obtained copies at no charge.  But regardless of how you got your copies,  copyleft </a> to protect the four freedoms legally for everyone.  We
173  you always have the freedom to copy and change the software, even to  believe there are important reasons why
174  <a href="/philosophy/selling.html">sell copies</a>.  <a href="/philosophy/pragmatic.html">it is better to use
175    copyleft</a>.  However,
176    <a href="/philosophy/categories.html#Non-CopyleftedFreeSoftware">
177    noncopylefted free software</a> is ethical
178    too.  See <a href="/philosophy/categories.html">Categories of Free
179    Software</a> for a description of how &ldquo;free software,&rdquo;
180    &ldquo;copylefted software&rdquo; and other categories of software
181    relate to each other.
182  </p>  </p>
183    
184  <p>  <p>
185  <q>Free software</q> does not mean <q>non-commercial.</q>  A free  &ldquo;Free software&rdquo; does not mean &ldquo;noncommercial&rdquo;.  A free
186  program must be available for commercial use, commercial development,  program must be available for commercial use, commercial development,
187  and commercial distribution.  Commercial development of free software  and commercial distribution.  Commercial development of free software
188  is no longer unusual; such free commercial software is very important.  is no longer unusual; such free commercial software is very important.
189    You may have paid money to get copies of free software, or you may have
190    obtained copies at no charge.  But regardless of how you got your copies,
191    you always have the freedom to copy and change the software, even to
192    <a href="/philosophy/selling.html">sell copies</a>.
193  </p>  </p>
194    
195  <p>  <p>
196  Rules about how to package a modified version are acceptable, if they  Whether a change constitutes an improvement is a subjective matter.
197  don't substantively block your freedom to release modified versions, or  If your right to modify a program is limited, in substance, to changes that
198  your freedom to make and use modified versions privately.  Rules that <q>if  someone else considers an improvement, that program is not free.
 you make your version available in this way, you must make it available in  
 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  
 modified version and a previous developer asks for a copy of it, you  
 must send one, or that you identify yourself on your modifications.  
199  </p>  </p>
200    
201  <p>  <p>
202  In the GNU project, we use  However, rules about how to package a modified version are acceptable,
203  <q><a href="/copyleft/copyleft.html">copyleft</a></q>  if they don't substantively limit your freedom to release modified
204  to protect these freedoms legally for everyone.  But  versions, or your freedom to make and use modified versions privately.
205  <a href="/philosophy/categories.html#Non-CopyleftedFreeSoftware">non-copylefted  Thus, it is acceptable for the license to require that you change the
206  free software</a> also exists.  We believe there are important reasons why  name of the modified version, remove a logo, or identify your
207  <a href="/philosophy/pragmatic.html"> it is better to use copyleft</a>,  modifications as yours.  As long as these requirements are not so
208  but if your program is non-copylefted free software, we can still  burdensome that they effectively hamper you from releasing your
209  use it.  changes, they are acceptable; you're already making other changes to
210    the program, so you won't have trouble making a few more.
211  </p>  </p>
212    
213  <p>  <p>
214  See <a href="/philosophy/categories.html">Categories of Free Software</a>  Rules that &ldquo;if you make your version available in this way, you
215  for a description of how <q>free software,</q> <q>copylefted software</q>  must make it available in that way also&rdquo; can be acceptable too,
216  and other categories of software relate to each other.  on the same condition.  An example of such an acceptable rule is one
217    saying that if you have distributed a
218    modified version and a previous developer asks for a copy of it, you
219    must send one.  (Note that such a rule still leaves you the choice of
220    whether to distribute your version at all.)  Rules that require release
221    of source code to the users for versions that you put into public use
222    are also acceptable.
223  </p>  </p>
224    
225  <p>  <p>
226    A special issue arises when a license requires changing the name by
227    which the program will be invoked from other programs.  That
228    effectively hampers you from releasing your changed version so that it
229    can replace the original when invoked by those other programs.  This
230    sort of requirement is acceptable only if there's a suitable aliasing
231    facility that allows you to specify the original program's name as an
232    alias for the modified version.</p>
233    
234    <p>
235  Sometimes government <a id="exportcontrol">export control regulations</a>  Sometimes government <a id="exportcontrol">export control regulations</a>
236  and trade sanctions can constrain your freedom to distribute copies of  and trade sanctions can constrain your freedom to distribute copies of
237  programs internationally.  Software developers do not have the power to  programs internationally.  Software developers do not have the power to
238  eliminate or override these restrictions, but what they can and must do  eliminate or override these restrictions, but what they can and must do
239  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
240  way, the restrictions will not affect activities and people outside the  way, the restrictions will not affect activities and people outside the
241  jurisdictions of these governments.  jurisdictions of these governments.  Thus, free software licenses
242    must not require obedience to any nontrivial export regulations as a
243    condition of exercising any of the essential freedoms.
244    </p>
245    
246    <p>
247    Merely mentioning the existence of export regulations, without making
248    them a condition of the license itself, is acceptable since it does
249    not restrict users.  If an export regulation is actually trivial for
250    free software, then requiring it as a condition is not an actual
251    problem; however, it is a potential problem, since a later change in
252    export law could make the requirement nontrivial and thus render the
253    software nonfree.
254    </p>
255    
256    <p>
257    A free license may not require compliance with the license of a
258    nonfree program.  Thus, for instance, if a license requires you to
259    comply with the licenses of &ldquo;all the programs you use&rdquo;, in
260    the case of a user that runs nonfree programs this would require
261    compliance with the licenses of those nonfree programs; that makes the
262    license nonfree.
263    </p>
264    
265    <p>
266    It is acceptable for a free license to specify which jurisdiction's
267    law applies, or where litigation must be done, or both.
268  </p>  </p>
269    
270  <p>  <p>
# Line 176  is unlikely to have some other sort of p Line 275  is unlikely to have some other sort of p
275  (though this does happen occasionally).  However, some free software  (though this does happen occasionally).  However, some free software
276  licenses are based on contracts, and contracts can impose a much larger  licenses are based on contracts, and contracts can impose a much larger
277  range of possible restrictions.  That means there are many possible ways  range of possible restrictions.  That means there are many possible ways
278  such a license could be unacceptably restrictive and non-free.  such a license could be unacceptably restrictive and nonfree.
279  </p>  </p>
280    
281  <p>  <p>
# Line 184  We can't possibly list all the ways that Line 283  We can't possibly list all the ways that
283  contract-based license restricts the user in an unusual way that  contract-based license restricts the user in an unusual way that
284  copyright-based licenses cannot, and which isn't mentioned here as  copyright-based licenses cannot, and which isn't mentioned here as
285  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
286  it is non-free.  it is nonfree.
287  </p>  </p>
288    
289  <p>  <p>
290  When talking about free software, it is best to avoid using terms  When talking about free software, it is best to avoid using terms
291  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
292  the issue is about price, not freedom.  Some common terms such  the issue is about price, not freedom.  Some common terms such
293  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
294  <a href="/philosophy/words-to-avoid.html">Confusing Words and Phrases that  <a href="/philosophy/words-to-avoid.html">Confusing Words and Phrases that
295  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
296  a list of <a href="/philosophy/fs-translations.html">translations of  a list of proper <a href="/philosophy/fs-translations.html">translations of
297  <q>free software</q></a> into various languages.  &ldquo;free software&rdquo;</a> into various languages.
298  </p>  </p>
299    
300  <p>  <p>
# Line 221  listed there, you can ask us about it by Line 320  listed there, you can ask us about it by
320  </p>  </p>
321    
322  <p>  <p>
323  If you are contemplating writing a new license, please contact the FSF  If you are contemplating writing a new license, please contact the
324  by writing to that address. The proliferation of different free software  Free Software Foundation first by writing to that address. The
325  licenses means increased work for users in understanding the licenses;  proliferation of different free software licenses means increased work
326  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
327  meets your needs.  find an existing free software license that meets your needs.
328  </p>  </p>
329    
330  <p>  <p>
331  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
332  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
333  and avoid various practical problems.  and avoid various practical problems.
334  </p>  </p>
335    
336  <h2 id="beyond-software">Beyond Software</h2>  <h3 id="beyond-software">Beyond Software</h3>
337    
338  <p>  <p>
339  <a href="free-doc.html">Software manuals must be free</a>, for the same  <a href="/philosophy/free-doc.html">Software manuals must be free</a>,
340  reasons that software must be free, and because the manuals are in effect  for the same reasons that software must be free, and because the
341  part of the software.  manuals are in effect part of the software.
342  </p>  </p>
343    
344  <p>  <p>
345  The same arguments also make sense for other kinds of works of  The same arguments also make sense for other kinds of works of
346  practical use -- that is to say, works that embody useful knowledge,  practical use &mdash; that is to say, works that embody useful knowledge,
347  such as educational works and reference  such as educational works and reference
348  works.  <a href="http://wikipedia.org"> Wikipedia </a> is the best known  works.  <a href="http://wikipedia.org">Wikipedia</a> is the best-known
349  example.  example.
350  </p>  </p>
351    
# Line 256  has been extended to a definition of <a Line 355  has been extended to a definition of <a
355  free cultural works</a> applicable to any kind of works.  free cultural works</a> applicable to any kind of works.
356  </p>  </p>
357    
358  <h2 id="open-source">Open Source?</h2>  <h3 id="open-source">Open Source?</h3>
359    
360  <p>  <p>
361  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
362  something close (but not identical) to <q>free software.</q>  We  something close (but not identical) to &ldquo;free software&rdquo;.  We
363  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
364  it refers to freedom rather than price, it calls to mind freedom.  it refers to freedom rather than price, it calls to mind freedom.  The
365  The word <q>open</q> <a href="open-source-misses-the-point.html">  word &ldquo;open&rdquo; <a href="/philosophy/open-source-misses-the-point.html">
366  never refers to freedom </a>.  never refers to freedom</a>.
367  </p>  </p>
368    
369  <p><a href="/philosophy/philosophy.html">Other Texts to Read</a></p>  <h3 id="History">History</h3>
370    
371  </div>  <p>From time to time we revise this Free Software Definition.  Here is
372    the list of substantive changes, along with links to show exactly what
373    was changed.</p>
374    
375    <ul>
376    
377  <!--#include virtual="/server/footer.html" -->  <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
378    1.131</a>: A free license may not require compliance with a nonfree license
379    of another program.</li>
380    
381    <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
382    1.129</a>: State explicitly that choice of law and choice of forum
383    specifications are allowed.  (This was always our policy.)</li>
384    
385    <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
386    1.122</a>: An export control requirement is a real problem if the
387    requirement is nontrivial; otherwise it is only a potential problem.</li>
388    
389    <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
390    1.118</a>: Clarification: the issue is limits on your right to modify,
391    not on what modifications you have made.  And modifications are not limited
392    to &ldquo;improvements&rdquo;</li>
393    
394    <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
395    1.111</a>: Clarify 1.77 by saying that only
396    retroactive <em>restrictions</em> are unacceptable.  The copyright
397    holders can always grant additional <em>permission</em> for use of the
398    work by releasing the work in another way in parallel.</li>
399    
400    <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
401    1.105</a>: Reflect, in the brief statement of freedom 1, the point
402    (already stated in version 1.80) that it includes really using your modified
403    version for your computing.</li>
404    
405    <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
406    1.92</a>: Clarify that obfuscated code does not qualify as source code.</li>
407    
408    <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
409    1.90</a>: Clarify that freedom 3 means the right to distribute copies
410    of your own modified or improved version, not a right to participate
411    in someone else's development project.</li>
412    
413    <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
414    1.89</a>: Freedom 3 includes the right to release modified versions as
415    free software.</li>
416    
417    <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
418    1.80</a>: Freedom 1 must be practical, not just theoretical;
419    i.e., no tivoization.</li>
420    
421    <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
422    1.77</a>: Clarify that all retroactive changes to the license are
423    unacceptable, even if it's not described as a complete
424    replacement.</li>
425    
426    <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
427    1.74</a>: Four clarifications of points not explicit enough, or stated
428    in some places but not reflected everywhere:
429    <ul>
430    <li>"Improvements" does not mean the license can
431    substantively limit what kinds of modified versions you can release.
432    Freedom 3 includes distributing modified versions, not just changes.</li>
433    <li>The right to merge in existing modules
434    refers to those that are suitably licensed.</li>
435    <li>Explicitly state the conclusion of the point about export controls.</li>
436    <li>Imposing a license change constitutes revoking the old license.</li>
437    </ul>
438    </li>
439    
440    <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
441    1.57</a>: Add &quot;Beyond Software&quot; section.</li>
442    
443    <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
444    1.46</a>: Clarify whose purpose is significant in the freedom to run
445    the program for any purpose.</li>
446    
447    <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
448    1.41</a>: Clarify wording about contract-based licenses.</li>
449    
450    <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
451    1.40</a>: Explain that a free license must allow to you use other
452    available free software to create your modifications.</li>
453    
454    <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
455    1.39</a>: Note that it is acceptable for a license to require you to
456    provide source for versions of the software you put into public
457    use.</li>
458    
459    <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
460    1.31</a>: Note that it is acceptable for a license to require you to
461    identify yourself as the author of modifications.  Other minor
462    clarifications throughout the text.</li>
463    
464    <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
465    1.23</a>: Address potential problems related to contract-based
466    licenses.</li>
467    
468    <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
469    1.16</a>: Explain why distribution of binaries is important.</li>
470    
471    <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
472    1.11</a>: Note that a free license may require you to send a copy of
473    versions you distribute to the author.</li>
474    
475    </ul>
476    
477    <p>There are gaps in the version numbers shown above because there are
478    other changes in this page that do not affect the definition or its
479    interpretations.  For instance, the list does not include changes in
480    asides, formatting, spelling, punctuation, or other parts of the page.
481    You can review the complete list of changes to the page through
482    the <a href="http://web.cvs.savannah.gnu.org/viewvc/www/philosophy/free-sw.html?root=www&amp;view=log">cvsweb
483    interface</a>.</p>
484    
485    
486    </div><!-- for id="content", starts in the include above -->
487    <!--#include virtual="/server/footer.html" -->
488  <div id="footer">  <div id="footer">
489    <div class="unprintable">
490    
491  <p>  <p>Please send general FSF &amp; GNU inquiries to
492  Please send FSF &amp; GNU inquiries to  <a href="mailto:gnu@gnu.org">&lt;gnu@gnu.org&gt;</a>.
493  <a href="mailto:gnu@gnu.org"><em>gnu@gnu.org</em></a>.  There are also <a href="/contact/">other ways to contact</a>
494  There are also <a href="http://www.fsf.org/about/contact.html">other ways to contact</a>  the FSF.  Broken links and other corrections or suggestions can be sent
495  the FSF.  to <a href="mailto:webmasters@gnu.org">&lt;webmasters@gnu.org&gt;</a>.</p>
496  <br />  
497  Please send broken links and other corrections (or suggestions) to  <p><!-- TRANSLATORS: Ignore the original text in this paragraph,
498  <a href="mailto:webmasters@gnu.org"><em>webmasters@gnu.org</em></a>.          replace it with the translation of these two:
499  </p>  
500            We work hard and do our best to provide accurate, good quality
501            translations.  However, we are not exempt from imperfection.
502            Please send your comments and general suggestions in this regard
503            to <a href="mailto:web-translators@gnu.org">
504            &lt;web-translators@gnu.org&gt;</a>.</p>
505    
506            <p>For information on coordinating and submitting translations of
507            our web pages, see <a
508            href="/server/standards/README.translations.html">Translations
509            README</a>. -->
510    Please see the <a
511    href="/server/standards/README.translations.html">Translations
512    README</a> for information on coordinating and submitting translations
513    of this article.</p>
514    </div>
515    
516  <p>  <!-- Regarding copyright, in general, standalone pages (as opposed to
517  Please see the       files generated as part of manuals) on the GNU web server should
518  <a href="/server/standards/README.translations.html">Translations       be under CC BY-ND 3.0 US.  Please do NOT change or remove this
519  README</a> for information on coordinating and submitting       without talking with the webmasters or licensing team first.
520  translations of this article.       Please make sure the copyright date is consistent with the
521  </p>       document.  For web pages, it is ok to list just the latest year the
522         document was modified, or published.
523        
524         If you wish to list earlier years, that is ok too.
525         Either "2001, 2002, 2003" or "2001-2003" are ok for specifying
526         years, as long as each year in the range is in fact a copyrightable
527         year, i.e., a year in which the document was published (including
528         being publicly visible on the web or in a revision control system).
529        
530         There is more detail about copyright years in the GNU Maintainers
531         Information document, www.gnu.org/prep/maintain. -->
532    
533    <p>Copyright &copy; 1996-2002, 2004-2007, 2009, 2010, 2012, 2013
534    Free Software Foundation, Inc.</p>
535    
536    <p>This page is licensed under a <a rel="license"
537    href="http://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-nd/3.0/us/">Creative
538    Commons Attribution-NoDerivs 3.0 United States License</a>.</p>
539    
540  <p>  <!--#include virtual="/server/bottom-notes.html" -->
 Copyright (C) 1996, 1997, 1998, 1999, 2000, 2001, 2002, 2003, 2004,  
 2005, 2006 <br /> Free Software Foundation, Inc., 51 Franklin St,  
 Fifth Floor, Boston, MA 02110-1301,  USA  
 <br />  
 Verbatim copying and distribution of this entire article is  
 permitted in any medium without royalty provided this notice is  
 preserved.  
 </p>  
541    
542  <p>  <p></p><p class="unprintable">Updated:
 Updated:  
543  <!-- timestamp start -->  <!-- timestamp start -->
544  $Date$ $Author$  $Date$
545  <!-- timestamp end -->  <!-- timestamp end -->
546  </p>  </p>
547  </div>  </div>
   
 <div id="translations">  
 <h4>Translations of this page</h4>  
   
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   <li><a href="/philosophy/free-sw.ar.html">&#1575;&#1604;&#1593;&#1585;&#1576;&#1610;&#1577;</a> <!-- Arabic --></li>  
  <li><a href="/philosophy/free-sw.bg.html">&#x431;&#x44A;&#x43B;&#x433;&#x430;&#x440;&#x441;&#x43A;&#x438;</a>  <!-- Bulgarian --></li>  
  <li><a href="/philosophy/free-sw.ca.html">Catal&#x00e0;</a>    <!-- Catalan --></li>  
   
 <!-- Chinese (Simplified) -->  
  <li><a href="/philosophy/free-sw.cn.html">&#x7b80;&#x4f53;&#x4e2d;&#x6587;</a></li>  
   
 <!-- Chinese (Traditional) -->  
  <li><a href="/philosophy/free-sw.zh.html">&#x7e41;&#x9ad4;&#x4e2d;&#x6587;</a></li>  
   
  <li><a href="/philosophy/free-sw.cs.html">&#x010c;esky</a>     <!-- Czech --></li>  
  <li><a href="/philosophy/free-sw.da.html">Dansk</a>    <!-- Danish --></li>  
  <li><a href="/philosophy/free-sw.de.html">Deutsch</a>  <!-- German --></li>  
  <li><a href="/philosophy/free-sw.html">English</a> </li>  
  <li><a href="/philosophy/free-sw.el.html">Ελληνικά</a>  <!--Greek--></li>  
  <li><a href="/philosophy/free-sw.es.html">Espa&#x00f1;ol</a>   <!-- Spanish --></li>  
  <li><a href="/philosophy/free-sw.eo.html">Esperanto</a></li>  
  <li><a href="/philosophy/free-sw.fa.html">&#x0641;&#x0627;&#x0631;&#x0633;&#x06cc;</a></li>  
  <li><a href="/philosophy/free-sw.fr.html">Fran&#x00e7;ais</a>  <!-- French --></li>  
  <li><a href="/philosophy/free-sw.gl.html">Galego</a>   <!-- Galician --></li>  
  <li><a href="/philosophy/free-sw.he.html">&#x05e2;&#x05d1;&#x05e8;&#x05d9;&#x05ea;</a> <!-- Hebrew --></li>  
  <li><a href="/philosophy/free-sw.hr.html">Hrvatski</a> <!-- Croatian --></li>  
  <li><a href="/philosophy/free-sw.id.html">Bahasa Indonesia</a> <!-- Indonesian --></li>  
  <li><a href="/philosophy/free-sw.it.html">Italiano</a> <!-- Italian --></li>  
  <li><a href="/philosophy/free-sw.ja.html">&#x65e5;&#x672c;&#x8a9e;</a> <!-- Japanese --></li>  
  <li><a href="/philosophy/free-sw.ko.html">&#xd55c;&#xad6d;&#xc5b4;</a> <!-- Korean --></li>  
  <li><a href="/philosophy/free-sw.hu.html">Magyar</a>   <!-- Hungarian --></li>  
  <li><a href="/philosophy/free-sw.nl.html">Nederlands</a>       <!-- Dutch --></li>  
  <li><a href="/philosophy/free-sw.no.html">Norsk</a>    <!-- Norwegian --></li>  
  <li><a href="/philosophy/free-sw.pl.html">Polski</a>   <!-- Polish --></li>  
  <li><a href="/philosophy/free-sw.pt.html">Portugu&#x0ea;s</a>  <!-- Portuguese --></li>  
  <li><a href="/philosophy/free-sw.ro.html">Rom&#x00e2;n&#x0103;</a>     <!-- Romanian --></li>  
  <li><a href="/philosophy/free-sw.ru.html">&#1056;&#1091;&#1089;&#1089;&#1082;&#1080;&#1081;</a> <!-- Russian --></li>  
  <li><a href="/philosophy/free-sw.sl.html">Slovinsko</a>        <!--- Slovenian --></li>  
  <li><a href="/philosophy/free-sw.sr.html">&#x0421;&#x0440;&#x043f;&#x0441;&#x043a;&#x0438;</a> <!-- Serbian --></li>  
  <li><a href="/philosophy/free-sw.tl.html">Tagalog</a>  <!-- Tagalog --></li>  
  <li><a href="/philosophy/free-sw.tr.html">T&#x00fc;rk&#x00e7;e</a>     <!-- Turkish --></li>  
 </ul>  
548  </div>  </div>
   
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549  </body>  </body>
550  </html>  </html>

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