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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  <h2>The Free Software Definition</h2>  <h2>What is free software?</h2>
13    
14    <h3>The Free Software Definition</h3>
15    
16    <!--#include virtual="/licenses/fsf-licensing.html" -->
17    <blockquote>
18  <p>  <p>
19  We maintain this free software definition to show clearly what must be  The free software definition presents the criteria for whether a
20  true about a particular software program for it to be considered free  particular software program qualifies as free software.  From time to
21  software.  From time to time we revise this definition to clarify it.  time we revise this definition, to clarify it or to resolve questions
22  If you would like to review the changes we've made, please see  about subtle issues.  See the <a href="#History">History section</a>
23  the <a href="#History">History section</a> below for more information.  below for a list of changes that affect the definition of free
24    software.
25  </p>  </p>
26    </blockquote>
27    
28  <p>  <p>
29  <q>Free software</q> is a matter of liberty, not price.  To understand  &ldquo;Free software&rdquo; means software that respects users'
30  the concept, you should think of <q>free</q> as in <q>free speech,</q>  freedom and community.  Roughly, it means that <b>the users have the
31  not as in <q>free beer.</q>  freedom to run, copy, distribute, study, change and improve the
32    software</b>.  Thus, &ldquo;free software&rdquo; is a matter of
33    liberty, not price.  To understand the concept, you should think of
34    &ldquo;free&rdquo; as in &ldquo;free speech,&rdquo; not as in
35    &ldquo;free beer&rdquo;.  We sometimes call it &ldquo;libre
36    software,&rdquo; borrowing the French or Spanish word for
37    &ldquo;free&rdquo; as in freedom, to show we do not mean the software
38    is gratis.
39  </p>  </p>
40    
41  <p>  <p>
42  Free software is a matter of the users' freedom to run, copy, distribute,  We campaign for these freedoms because everyone deserves them.  With
43  study, change and improve the software.  More precisely, it refers to  these freedoms, the users (both individually and collectively) control
44  four kinds of freedom, for the users of the software:  the program and what it does for them.  When users don't control the
45    program, we call it a &ldquo;nonfree&rdquo; or
46    &ldquo;proprietary&rdquo; program.  The nonfree program controls the
47    users, and the developer controls the program; this makes the
48    program <a href="/philosophy/free-software-even-more-important.html">
49    an instrument of unjust power</a>.
50    </p>
51    
52    <h4> The four essential freedoms</h4>
53    
54    <p>
55    A program is free software if the program's users have the
56    four essential freedoms:
57  </p>  </p>
58    
59  <ul>  <ul>
60    <li>The freedom to run the program, for any purpose (freedom 0).</li>    <li>The freedom to run the program as you wish,
61    <li>The freedom to study how the program works, and adapt it to        for any purpose (freedom 0).</li>
62        your needs (freedom 1). Access to the source code is a precondition    <li>The freedom to study how the program works, and change it so it
63        for this.        does your computing as you wish (freedom 1). Access to the source
64          code is a precondition for this.
65    </li>    </li>
66    <li>The freedom to redistribute copies so you can help your neighbor    <li>The freedom to redistribute copies so you can help your neighbor
67        (freedom 2).        (freedom 2).
68    </li>    </li>
69    <li>The freedom to improve the program, and release your improvements    <li>The freedom to distribute copies of your modified versions
70        (and modified versions in general)        to others (freedom 3).  By doing this you can give the whole
71        to the public, so that the whole community benefits (freedom 3).        community a chance to benefit from your changes.
72        Access to the source code is a precondition for this.        Access to the source code is a precondition for this.
73    </li>    </li>
74  </ul>  </ul>
75    
76  <p>  <p>
77  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
78  you should be free to redistribute copies, either with or without  freedoms.  Otherwise, it is nonfree.  While we can distinguish various
79  modifications, either gratis or charging a fee for distribution, to  nonfree distribution schemes in terms of how far they fall short of
80  <a href="#exportcontrol">anyone anywhere</a>.  Being free to do these  being free, we consider them all equally unethical.</p>
81  things means (among other things) that you do not have to ask or pay  
82  for permission.  <p>In any given scenario, these freedoms must apply to whatever code
83  </p>  we plan to make use of, or lead others to make use of.  For instance,
84    consider a program A which automatically launches a program B to
85    handle some cases.  If we plan to distribute A as it stands, that
86    implies users will need B, so we need to judge whether both A and B
87    are free.  However, if we plan to modify A so that it doesn't use B,
88    only A needs to be free; B is not pertinent to that plan.</p>
89    
90  <p>  <p>
91  You should also have the freedom to make modifications and use them  &ldquo;Free software&rdquo; does not mean &ldquo;noncommercial&rdquo;.  A free
92  privately in your own work or play, without even mentioning that they  program must be available for commercial use, commercial development,
93  exist.  If you do publish your changes, you should not be required to  and commercial distribution.  Commercial development of free software
94  notify anyone in particular, or in any particular way.  is no longer unusual; such free commercial software is very important.
95    You may have paid money to get copies of free software, or you may have
96    obtained copies at no charge.  But regardless of how you got your copies,
97    you always have the freedom to copy and change the software, even to
98    <a href="/philosophy/selling.html">sell copies</a>.
99  </p>  </p>
100    
101    <p>The rest of this page clarifies certain points about what makes
102    specific freedoms adequate or not.</p>
103    
104    <h4>The freedom to run the program as you wish</h4>
105    
106  <p>  <p>
107  The freedom to run the program means the freedom for any kind of person  The freedom to run the program means the freedom for any kind of person
108  or organization to use it on any kind of computer system, for any kind of  or organization to use it on any kind of computer system, for any kind of
109  overall job and purpose, without being required to communicate about it  overall job and purpose, without being required to communicate about it
110  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
111  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>
112  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,
113  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
114  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.
115  </p>  </p>
116    
117  <p>  <p>
118  The freedom to redistribute copies must include binary or executable  The freedom to run the program as you wish means that you are not
119  forms of the program, as well as source code, for both modified and  forbidden or stopped from doing so.  It has nothing to do with what
120  unmodified versions.  (Distributing programs in runnable form is necessary  functionality the program has, or whether it is useful for what you
121  for conveniently installable free operating systems.)  It is ok if there  want to do.</p>
122  is no way to produce a binary or executable form for a certain program  
123  (since some languages don't support that feature), but you must have the  <h4>The freedom to study the source code and make changes</h4>
124  freedom to redistribute such forms should you find or develop a way to  
125  make them.  <p>
126    In order for freedoms 1 and 3 (the freedom to make changes and the
127    freedom to publish the changed versions) to be meaningful, you must have
128    access to the source code of the program.  Therefore, accessibility of
129    source code is a necessary condition for free software.  Obfuscated
130    &ldquo;source code&rdquo; is not real source code and does not count
131    as source code.
132  </p>  </p>
133    
134  <p>  <p>
135  In order for the freedoms to make changes, and to publish improved  Freedom 1 includes the freedom to use your changed version in place of
136  versions, to be meaningful, you must have access to the source code of  the original.  If the program is delivered in a product designed to
137  the program.  Therefore, accessibility of source code is a necessary  run someone else's modified versions but refuse to run yours &mdash; a
138  condition for free software.  practice known as &ldquo;tivoization&rdquo; or &ldquo;lockdown&rdquo;,
139    or (in its practitioners' perverse terminology) as &ldquo;secure
140    boot&rdquo; &mdash; freedom 1 becomes an empty pretense rather than a
141    practical reality.  These binaries are not free
142    software even if the source code they are compiled from is free.
143  </p>  </p>
144    
145  <p>  <p>
146  One important way to modify a program is by merging in available free  One important way to modify a program is by merging in available free
147  subroutines and modules.  If the program's license says that you  subroutines and modules.  If the program's license says that you
148  cannot merge in a suitably-licensed existing module, such as if it  cannot merge in a suitably licensed existing module &mdash; for instance, if it
149  requires you to be the copyright holder of any code you add, then the  requires you to be the copyright holder of any code you add &mdash; then the
150  license is too restrictive to qualify as free.  license is too restrictive to qualify as free.
151  </p>  </p>
152    
153  <p>  <p>
154  In order for these freedoms to be real, they must be irrevocable as  Whether a change constitutes an improvement is a subjective matter.
155  long as you do nothing wrong; if the developer of the software has the  If your right to modify a program is limited, in substance, to changes that
156  power to revoke the license, or replace it with a different license  someone else considers an improvement, that program is not free.
157  (since this implies revoking the old license),  </p>
158  without your doing anything wrong to give cause, the software is not  
159  free.  <h4>The freedom to redistribute if you wish: basic requirements</h4>
160    
161    <p>Freedom to distribute (freedoms 2 and 3) means you are free to
162    redistribute copies, either with or without modifications, either
163    gratis or charging a fee for distribution, to
164    <a href="#exportcontrol">anyone anywhere</a>.  Being free to do these
165    things means (among other things) that you do not have to ask or pay
166    for permission to do so.
167  </p>  </p>
168    
169  <p>  <p>
170  However, certain kinds of rules about the manner of distributing free  You should also have the freedom to make modifications and use them
171  software are acceptable, when they don't conflict with the central  privately in your own work or play, without even mentioning that they
172  freedoms.  For example, copyleft (very simply stated) is the rule that  exist.  If you do publish your changes, you should not be required to
173  when redistributing the program, you cannot add restrictions to deny  notify anyone in particular, or in any particular way.
 other people the central freedoms.  This rule does not conflict with  
 the central freedoms; rather it protects them.  
174  </p>  </p>
175    
176  <p>  <p>
177  <q>Free software</q> does not mean <q>non-commercial.</q>  A free  Freedom 3 includes the freedom to release your modified versions
178  program must be available for commercial use, commercial development,  as free software.  A free license may also permit other ways of
179  and commercial distribution.  Commercial development of free software  releasing them; in other words, it does not have to be
180  is no longer unusual; such free commercial software is very important.  a <a href="/copyleft/copyleft.html">copyleft</a> license.  However, a
181  You may have paid money to get copies of free software, or you may have  license that requires modified versions to be nonfree does not qualify
182  obtained copies at no charge.  But regardless of how you got your copies,  as a free license.
 you always have the freedom to copy and change the software, even to  
 <a href="/philosophy/selling.html">sell copies</a>.  
183  </p>  </p>
184    
185  <p>  <p>
186  Whether a change constitutes an improvement is a subjective matter.  The freedom to redistribute copies must include binary or executable
187  If your modifications are limited, in substance, to changes that  forms of the program, as well as source code, for both modified and
188  someone else considers an improvement, that is not freedom.  unmodified versions.  (Distributing programs in runnable form is necessary
189    for conveniently installable free operating systems.)  It is OK if there
190    is no way to produce a binary or executable form for a certain program
191    (since some languages don't support that feature), but you must have the
192    freedom to redistribute such forms should you find or develop a way to
193    make them.
194  </p>  </p>
195    
196    <h4>Copyleft</h4>
197    
198  <p>  <p>
199  However, rules about how to package a modified version are acceptable, if they  Certain kinds of rules about the manner of distributing free
200  don't substantively limit your freedom to release modified versions, or  software are acceptable, when they don't conflict with the central
201  your freedom to make and use modified versions privately.  Rules that <q>if  freedoms.  For example, <a href="/copyleft/copyleft.html">copyleft</a>
202  you make your version available in this way, you must make it available in  (very simply stated) is the rule that when redistributing the program,
203  that way also</q> can be acceptable too, on the same condition.  (Note that  you cannot add restrictions to deny other people the central freedoms.
204  such a rule still leaves you the choice of whether to publish your version  This rule does not conflict with the central freedoms; rather it
205  at all.)  Rules that require release of source code to the users for  protects them.
 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.  
206  </p>  </p>
207    
208  <p>  <p>
209  In the GNU project, we use  In the GNU project, we use copyleft to protect the four freedoms
210  <q><a href="/copyleft/copyleft.html">copyleft</a></q>  legally for everyone.  We believe there are important reasons why
211  to protect these freedoms legally for everyone.  But  <a href="/philosophy/pragmatic.html">it is better to use
212  <a href="/philosophy/categories.html#Non-CopyleftedFreeSoftware">non-copylefted  copyleft</a>.  However,
213  free software</a> also exists.  We believe there are important reasons why  <a href="/philosophy/categories.html#Non-CopyleftedFreeSoftware">
214  <a href="/philosophy/pragmatic.html"> it is better to use copyleft</a>,  noncopylefted free software</a> is ethical
215  but if your program is non-copylefted free software, it is still basically  too.  See <a href="/philosophy/categories.html">Categories of Free
216  ethical.  Software</a> for a description of how &ldquo;free software,&rdquo;
217    &ldquo;copylefted software&rdquo; and other categories of software
218    relate to each other.
219    </p>
220    
221    <h4>Rules about packaging and distribution details</h4>
222    
223    <p>
224    Rules about how to package a modified version are acceptable,
225    if they don't substantively limit your freedom to release modified
226    versions, or your freedom to make and use modified versions privately.
227    Thus, it is acceptable for the license to require that you change the
228    name of the modified version, remove a logo, or identify your
229    modifications as yours.  As long as these requirements are not so
230    burdensome that they effectively hamper you from releasing your
231    changes, they are acceptable; you're already making other changes to
232    the program, so you won't have trouble making a few more.
233  </p>  </p>
234    
235  <p>  <p>
236  See <a href="/philosophy/categories.html">Categories of Free Software</a>  Rules that &ldquo;if you make your version available in this way, you
237  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,
238  and other categories of software relate to each other.  on the same condition.  An example of such an acceptable rule is one
239    saying that if you have distributed a
240    modified version and a previous developer asks for a copy of it, you
241    must send one.  (Note that such a rule still leaves you the choice of
242    whether to distribute your version at all.)  Rules that require release
243    of source code to the users for versions that you put into public use
244    are also acceptable.
245  </p>  </p>
246    
247  <p>  <p>
248    A special issue arises when a license requires changing the name by
249    which the program will be invoked from other programs.  That
250    effectively hampers you from releasing your changed version so that it
251    can replace the original when invoked by those other programs.  This
252    sort of requirement is acceptable only if there's a suitable aliasing
253    facility that allows you to specify the original program's name as an
254    alias for the modified version.</p>
255    
256    <h4>Export regulations</h4>
257    
258    <p>
259  Sometimes government <a id="exportcontrol">export control regulations</a>  Sometimes government <a id="exportcontrol">export control regulations</a>
260  and trade sanctions can constrain your freedom to distribute copies of  and trade sanctions can constrain your freedom to distribute copies of
261  programs internationally.  Software developers do not have the power to  programs internationally.  Software developers do not have the power to
# Line 174  eliminate or override these restrictions Line 263  eliminate or override these restrictions
263  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
264  way, the restrictions will not affect activities and people outside the  way, the restrictions will not affect activities and people outside the
265  jurisdictions of these governments.  Thus, free software licenses  jurisdictions of these governments.  Thus, free software licenses
266  must not require obedience to any export regulations a condition of  must not require obedience to any nontrivial export regulations as a
267  any of the essential freedoms.  condition of exercising any of the essential freedoms.
268  </p>  </p>
269    
270  <p>  <p>
271    Merely mentioning the existence of export regulations, without making
272    them a condition of the license itself, is acceptable since it does
273    not restrict users.  If an export regulation is actually trivial for
274    free software, then requiring it as a condition is not an actual
275    problem; however, it is a potential problem, since a later change in
276    export law could make the requirement nontrivial and thus render the
277    software nonfree.
278    </p>
279    
280    <h4>Legal considerations</h4>
281    
282    <p>
283    In order for these freedoms to be real, they must be permanent and
284    irrevocable as long as you do nothing wrong; if the developer of the
285    software has the power to revoke the license, or retroactively add
286    restrictions to its terms, without your doing anything wrong to give
287    cause, the software is not free.
288    </p>
289    
290    <p>
291    A free license may not require compliance with the license of a
292    nonfree program.  Thus, for instance, if a license requires you to
293    comply with the licenses of &ldquo;all the programs you use&rdquo;, in
294    the case of a user that runs nonfree programs this would require
295    compliance with the licenses of those nonfree programs; that makes the
296    license nonfree.
297    </p>
298    
299    <p>
300    It is acceptable for a free license to specify which jurisdiction's
301    law applies, or where litigation must be done, or both.
302    </p>
303    
304    <h4>Contract-based licenses</h4>
305    
306    <p>
307  Most free software licenses are based on copyright, and there are limits  Most free software licenses are based on copyright, and there are limits
308  on what kinds of requirements can be imposed through copyright.  If a  on what kinds of requirements can be imposed through copyright.  If a
309  copyright-based license respects freedom in the ways described above, it  copyright-based license respects freedom in the ways described above, it
# Line 186  is unlikely to have some other sort of p Line 311  is unlikely to have some other sort of p
311  (though this does happen occasionally).  However, some free software  (though this does happen occasionally).  However, some free software
312  licenses are based on contracts, and contracts can impose a much larger  licenses are based on contracts, and contracts can impose a much larger
313  range of possible restrictions.  That means there are many possible ways  range of possible restrictions.  That means there are many possible ways
314  such a license could be unacceptably restrictive and non-free.  such a license could be unacceptably restrictive and nonfree.
315  </p>  </p>
316    
317  <p>  <p>
# Line 194  We can't possibly list all the ways that Line 319  We can't possibly list all the ways that
319  contract-based license restricts the user in an unusual way that  contract-based license restricts the user in an unusual way that
320  copyright-based licenses cannot, and which isn't mentioned here as  copyright-based licenses cannot, and which isn't mentioned here as
321  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
322  it is non-free.  it is nonfree.
323  </p>  </p>
324    
325    <h4>Use the right words when talking about free software</h4>
326    
327  <p>  <p>
328  When talking about free software, it is best to avoid using terms  When talking about free software, it is best to avoid using terms
329  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
330  the issue is about price, not freedom.  Some common terms such  the issue is about price, not freedom.  Some common terms such
331  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
332  <a href="/philosophy/words-to-avoid.html">Confusing Words and Phrases that  <a href="/philosophy/words-to-avoid.html">Confusing Words and Phrases that
333  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
334  a list of <a href="/philosophy/fs-translations.html">translations of  a list of proper <a href="/philosophy/fs-translations.html">translations of
335  <q>free software</q></a> into various languages.  &ldquo;free software&rdquo;</a> into various languages.
336  </p>  </p>
337    
338    <h4>How we interpret these criteria</h4>
339    
340  <p>  <p>
341  Finally, note that criteria such as those stated in this free software  Finally, note that criteria such as those stated in this free software
342  definition require careful thought for their interpretation.  To decide  definition require careful thought for their interpretation.  To decide
# Line 222  a conclusion about a new issue, we often Line 351  a conclusion about a new issue, we often
351  it easier to see why certain licenses do or don't qualify.  it easier to see why certain licenses do or don't qualify.
352  </p>  </p>
353    
354    <h4>Get help with free licenses</h4>
355    
356  <p>  <p>
357  If you are interested in whether a specific license qualifies as a free  If you are interested in whether a specific license qualifies as a free
358  software license, see our <a href="/licenses/license-list.html">list  software license, see our <a href="/licenses/license-list.html">list
# Line 231  listed there, you can ask us about it by Line 362  listed there, you can ask us about it by
362  </p>  </p>
363    
364  <p>  <p>
365  If you are contemplating writing a new license, please contact the FSF  If you are contemplating writing a new license, please contact the
366  by writing to that address. The proliferation of different free software  Free Software Foundation first by writing to that address. The
367  licenses means increased work for users in understanding the licenses;  proliferation of different free software licenses means increased work
368  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
369  meets your needs.  find an existing free software license that meets your needs.
370  </p>  </p>
371    
372  <p>  <p>
373  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
374  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
375  and avoid various practical problems.  and avoid various practical problems.
376  </p>  </p>
377    
378  <h2 id="beyond-software">Beyond Software</h2>  <h3 id="beyond-software">Beyond Software</h3>
379    
380  <p>  <p>
381  <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 256  manuals are in effect part of the softwa Line 387  manuals are in effect part of the softwa
387  The same arguments also make sense for other kinds of works of  The same arguments also make sense for other kinds of works of
388  practical use &mdash; that is to say, works that embody useful knowledge,  practical use &mdash; that is to say, works that embody useful knowledge,
389  such as educational works and reference  such as educational works and reference
390  works.  <a href="http://wikipedia.org">Wikipedia</a> is the best known  works.  <a href="http://wikipedia.org">Wikipedia</a> is the best-known
391  example.  example.
392  </p>  </p>
393    
# Line 266  has been extended to a definition of <a Line 397  has been extended to a definition of <a
397  free cultural works</a> applicable to any kind of works.  free cultural works</a> applicable to any kind of works.
398  </p>  </p>
399    
400  <h2 id="open-source">Open Source?</h2>  <h3 id="open-source">Open Source?</h3>
401    
402  <p>  <p>
403  Another group has started using the term <q>open source</q> to mean  Another group uses the term &ldquo;open source&rdquo; to mean
404  something close (but not identical) to <q>free software.</q>  We  something close (but not identical) to &ldquo;free software&rdquo;.  We
405  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
406  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
407  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">
408  never refers to freedom</a>.  never refers to freedom</a>.
409  </p>  </p>
410    
411  <h2 id="History">History</h2>  <h3 id="History">History</h3>
412    
413  <p>From time to time we revise this Free Software Definition to  <p>From time to time we revise this Free Software Definition.  Here is
414  clarify it.  Here we provide a list of those modifications, along with  the list of substantive changes, along with links to show exactly what
415  links to illustrate exactly what changed, so that others can review  was changed.</p>
 them if they like.</p>  
416    
417  <ul>  <ul>
418    
419    <li><a href="http://web.cvs.savannah.gnu.org/viewvc/www/philosophy/free-sw.html?root=www&amp;r1=1.140&amp;r2=1.141">Version
420    1.141</a>: Clarify which code needs to be free.</li>
421    
422    <li><a href="http://web.cvs.savannah.gnu.org/viewvc/www/philosophy/free-sw.html?root=www&amp;r1=1.134&amp;r2=1.135">Version
423    1.135</a>: Say each time that freedom 0 is the freedom to run the program
424    as you wish.</li>
425    
426    <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
427    1.134</a>: Freedom 0 is not a matter of the program's functionality.</li>
428    
429    <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
430    1.131</a>: A free license may not require compliance with a nonfree license
431    of another program.</li>
432    
433    <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
434    1.129</a>: State explicitly that choice of law and choice of forum
435    specifications are allowed.  (This was always our policy.)</li>
436    
437    <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
438    1.122</a>: An export control requirement is a real problem if the
439    requirement is nontrivial; otherwise it is only a potential problem.</li>
440    
441    <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
442    1.118</a>: Clarification: the issue is limits on your right to modify,
443    not on what modifications you have made.  And modifications are not limited
444    to &ldquo;improvements&rdquo;</li>
445    
446    <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
447    1.111</a>: Clarify 1.77 by saying that only
448    retroactive <em>restrictions</em> are unacceptable.  The copyright
449    holders can always grant additional <em>permission</em> for use of the
450    work by releasing the work in another way in parallel.</li>
451    
452    <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
453    1.105</a>: Reflect, in the brief statement of freedom 1, the point
454    (already stated in version 1.80) that it includes really using your modified
455    version for your computing.</li>
456    
457    <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
458    1.92</a>: Clarify that obfuscated code does not qualify as source code.</li>
459    
460    <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
461    1.90</a>: Clarify that freedom 3 means the right to distribute copies
462    of your own modified or improved version, not a right to participate
463    in someone else's development project.</li>
464    
465    <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
466    1.89</a>: Freedom 3 includes the right to release modified versions as
467    free software.</li>
468    
469    <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
470    1.80</a>: Freedom 1 must be practical, not just theoretical;
471    i.e., no tivoization.</li>
472    
473    <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
474    1.77</a>: Clarify that all retroactive changes to the license are
475    unacceptable, even if it's not described as a complete
476    replacement.</li>
477    
478  <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  <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
479  1.74</a>: Four clarifications of points not explicit enough, or stated  1.74</a>: Four clarifications of points not explicit enough, or stated
480  in some places but not reflected everywhere:  in some places but not reflected everywhere:
# Line 333  licenses.</li> Line 522  licenses.</li>
522    
523  <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  <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
524  1.11</a>: Note that a free license may require you to send a copy of  1.11</a>: Note that a free license may require you to send a copy of
525  versions you distribute to the author.</li>  versions you distribute to previous developers on request.</li>
526    
527  </ul>  </ul>
528    
529  <p>There are gaps in the version numbers because there are many other  <p>There are gaps in the version numbers shown above because there are
530  changes that do not affect the substance of the definition at all.  other changes in this page that do not affect the definition or its
531  Instead, they fix links, add translations, and so on.  If you would  interpretations.  For instance, the list does not include changes in
532  like to review the complete list of changes, you can do so on  asides, formatting, spelling, punctuation, or other parts of the page.
533  our <a href="http://web.cvs.savannah.gnu.org/viewvc/www/philosophy/free-sw.html?root=www&amp;view=log">cvsweb  You can review the complete list of changes to the page through
534    the <a href="http://web.cvs.savannah.gnu.org/viewvc/www/philosophy/free-sw.html?root=www&amp;view=log">cvsweb
535  interface</a>.</p>  interface</a>.</p>
536    
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537    
538    </div><!-- for id="content", starts in the include above -->
539  <!--#include virtual="/server/footer.html" -->  <!--#include virtual="/server/footer.html" -->
   
540  <div id="footer">  <div id="footer">
541    <div class="unprintable">
542    
543  <p>  <p>Please send general FSF &amp; GNU inquiries to
544  Please send FSF &amp; GNU inquiries to  <a href="mailto:gnu@gnu.org">&lt;gnu@gnu.org&gt;</a>.
545  <a href="mailto:gnu@gnu.org"><em>gnu@gnu.org</em></a>.  There are also <a href="/contact/">other ways to contact</a>
546  There are also <a href="/contact/">other ways to contact</a>  the FSF.  Broken links and other corrections or suggestions can be sent
547  the FSF.  to <a href="mailto:webmasters@gnu.org">&lt;webmasters@gnu.org&gt;</a>.</p>
548  <br />  
549  Please send broken links and other corrections or suggestions to  <p><!-- TRANSLATORS: Ignore the original text in this paragraph,
550  <a href="mailto:webmasters@gnu.org"><em>webmasters@gnu.org</em></a>.          replace it with the translation of these two:
551  </p>  
552            We work hard and do our best to provide accurate, good quality
553            translations.  However, we are not exempt from imperfection.
554            Please send your comments and general suggestions in this regard
555            to <a href="mailto:web-translators@gnu.org">
556            &lt;web-translators@gnu.org&gt;</a>.</p>
557    
558            <p>For information on coordinating and submitting translations of
559            our web pages, see <a
560            href="/server/standards/README.translations.html">Translations
561            README</a>. -->
562    Please see the <a
563    href="/server/standards/README.translations.html">Translations
564    README</a> for information on coordinating and submitting translations
565    of this article.</p>
566    </div>
567    
568  <p>  <!-- Regarding copyright, in general, standalone pages (as opposed to
569  Please see the       files generated as part of manuals) on the GNU web server should
570  <a href="/server/standards/README.translations.html">Translations       be under CC BY-ND 4.0.  Please do NOT change or remove this
571  README</a> for information on coordinating and submitting       without talking with the webmasters or licensing team first.
572  translations of this article.       Please make sure the copyright date is consistent with the
573  </p>       document.  For web pages, it is ok to list just the latest year the
574         document was modified, or published.
575        
576         If you wish to list earlier years, that is ok too.
577         Either "2001, 2002, 2003" or "2001-2003" are ok for specifying
578         years, as long as each year in the range is in fact a copyrightable
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580         being publicly visible on the web or in a revision control system).
581        
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584    
585    <p>Copyright &copy; 1996, 2002, 2004-2007, 2009-2016
586    Free Software Foundation, Inc.</p>
587    
588    <p>This page is licensed under a <a rel="license"
589    href="http://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-nd/4.0/">Creative
590    Commons Attribution-NoDerivatives 4.0 International License</a>.</p>
591    
592  <p>  <!--#include virtual="/server/bottom-notes.html" -->
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593    
594  <p>  <p class="unprintable">Updated:
 Updated:  
595  <!-- timestamp start -->  <!-- timestamp start -->
596  $Date$  $Date$
597  <!-- timestamp end -->  <!-- timestamp end -->
598  </p>  </p>
599  </div>  </div>
   
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 <li><a href="/philosophy/free-sw.el.html">&#x0395;&#x03bb;&#x03bb;&#x03b7;&#x03bd;&#x03b9;&#x03ba;&#x03ac;</a>&nbsp;[el]</li>  
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