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1  <!--#include virtual="/server/header.html" -->  <!--#include virtual="/server/header.html" -->
2    <!-- Parent-Version: 1.79 -->
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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8    
9    <!--#include virtual="/philosophy/po/free-sw.translist" -->
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    <blockquote class="note" id="fsf-licensing"><p style="font-size: 80%">
15    Have a question about free software licensing not answered here?
16    See our other <a href="http://www.fsf.org/licensing">licensing resources</a>,
17    and if necessary contact the FSF Compliance Lab
18    at <a href="mailto:licensing@fsf.org">licensing@fsf.org</a>.</p>
19    </blockquote>
20    
21    <h3>The Free Software Definition</h3>
22    
23    <blockquote>
24    <p>
25    The free software definition presents the criteria for whether a
26    particular software program qualifies as free software.  From time to
27    time we revise this definition, to clarify it or to resolve questions
28    about subtle issues.  See the <a href="#History">History section</a>
29    below for a list of changes that affect the definition of free
30    software.
31    </p>
32    </blockquote>
33    
34  <p>  <p>
35  We maintain this free software definition to show clearly what must be  &ldquo;Free software&rdquo; means software that respects users'
36  true about a particular software program for it to be considered free  freedom and community.  Roughly, it means that <b>the users have the
37  software.  From time to time we revise this definition to clarify it.  freedom to run, copy, distribute, study, change and improve the
38  If you would like to review the changes we've made, please see  software</b>.  Thus, &ldquo;free software&rdquo; is a matter of
39  the <a href="#History">History section</a> below for more information.  liberty, not price.  To understand the concept, you should think of
40    &ldquo;free&rdquo; as in &ldquo;free speech,&rdquo; not as in
41    &ldquo;free beer&rdquo;.  We sometimes call it &ldquo;libre
42    software,&rdquo; borrowing the French or Spanish word for
43    &ldquo;free&rdquo; as in freedom, to show we do not mean the software
44    is gratis.
45  </p>  </p>
46    
47  <p>  <p>
48  &ldquo;Free software&rdquo; is a matter of liberty, not price.  To understand  We campaign for these freedoms because everyone deserves them.  With
49  the concept, you should think of &ldquo;free&rdquo; as in &ldquo;free speech,&rdquo;  these freedoms, the users (both individually and collectively) control
50  not as in &ldquo;free beer.&rdquo;  the program and what it does for them.  When users don't control the
51    program, we call it a &ldquo;nonfree&rdquo; or
52    &ldquo;proprietary&rdquo; program.  The nonfree program controls the
53    users, and the developer controls the program; this makes the
54    program <a href="/philosophy/free-software-even-more-important.html">
55    an instrument of unjust power</a>.
56  </p>  </p>
57    
58    <h4> The four essential freedoms</h4>
59    
60  <p>  <p>
61  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
62  study, change and improve the software.  More precisely, it means that the  four essential freedoms:
 program's users have the four essential freedoms:  
63  </p>  </p>
64    
65  <ul>  <ul>
66    <li>The freedom to run the program, for any purpose (freedom 0).</li>    <li>The freedom to run the program as you wish,
67    <li>The freedom to study how the program works, and change it to make        for any purpose (freedom 0).</li>
68        it do what you wish (freedom 1). Access to the source code is a    <li>The freedom to study how the program works, and change it so it
69        precondition for this.        does your computing as you wish (freedom 1). Access to the source
70          code is a precondition for this.
71    </li>    </li>
72    <li>The freedom to redistribute copies so you can help your neighbor    <li>The freedom to redistribute copies so you can help your neighbor
73        (freedom 2).        (freedom 2).
# Line 48  program's users have the four essential Line 80  program's users have the four essential
80  </ul>  </ul>
81    
82  <p>  <p>
83  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
84  you should be free to redistribute copies, either with or without  freedoms.  Otherwise, it is nonfree.  While we can distinguish various
85  modifications, either gratis or charging a fee for distribution, to  nonfree distribution schemes in terms of how far they fall short of
86  <a href="#exportcontrol">anyone anywhere</a>.  Being free to do these  being free, we consider them all equally unethical.</p>
87  things means (among other things) that you do not have to ask or pay  
88  for permission to do so.  <p>In any given scenario, these freedoms must apply to whatever code
89  </p>  we plan to make use of, or lead others to make use of.  For instance,
90    consider a program A which automatically launches a program B to
91    handle some cases.  If we plan to distribute A as it stands, that
92    implies users will need B, so we need to judge whether both A and B
93    are free.  However, if we plan to modify A so that it doesn't use B,
94    only A needs to be free; B is not pertinent to that plan.</p>
95    
96  <p>  <p>
97  You should also have the freedom to make modifications and use them  &ldquo;Free software&rdquo; does not mean &ldquo;noncommercial&rdquo;.  A free
98  privately in your own work or play, without even mentioning that they  program must be available for commercial use, commercial development,
99  exist.  If you do publish your changes, you should not be required to  and commercial distribution.  Commercial development of free software
100  notify anyone in particular, or in any particular way.  is no longer unusual; such free commercial software is very important.
101    You may have paid money to get copies of free software, or you may have
102    obtained copies at no charge.  But regardless of how you got your copies,
103    you always have the freedom to copy and change the software, even to
104    <a href="/philosophy/selling.html">sell copies</a>.
105  </p>  </p>
106    
107    <p>The rest of this page clarifies certain points about what makes
108    specific freedoms adequate or not.</p>
109    
110    <h4>The freedom to run the program as you wish</h4>
111    
112  <p>  <p>
113  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
114  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
# Line 75  for her purposes, but you are not entitl Line 121  for her purposes, but you are not entitl
121  </p>  </p>
122    
123  <p>  <p>
124  The freedom to redistribute copies must include binary or executable  The freedom to run the program as you wish means that you are not
125  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
126  unmodified versions.  (Distributing programs in runnable form is necessary  functionality the program has, or whether it is useful for what you
127  for conveniently installable free operating systems.)  It is OK if there  want to do.</p>
128  is no way to produce a binary or executable form for a certain program  
129  (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>
 freedom to redistribute such forms should you find or develop a way to  
 make them.  
 </p>  
130    
131  <p>  <p>
132  In order for freedoms 1 and 3 (the freedom to make changes and the  In order for freedoms 1 and 3 (the freedom to make changes and the
133  freedom to publish improved versions) to be meaningful, you must have  freedom to publish the changed versions) to be meaningful, you must have
134  access to the source code of the program.  Therefore, accessibility of  access to the source code of the program.  Therefore, accessibility of
135  source code is a necessary condition for free software.  source code is a necessary condition for free software.  Obfuscated
136    &ldquo;source code&rdquo; is not real source code and does not count
137    as source code.
138  </p>  </p>
139    
140  <p>  <p>
141  Freedom 1 includes the freedom to use your changed version in place of  Freedom 1 includes the freedom to use your changed version in place of
142  the original.  If the program is delivered in a product designed to  the original.  If the program is delivered in a product designed to
143  run someone else's modified versions but refuse to run yours &mdash;  run someone else's modified versions but refuse to run yours &mdash; a
144  a practice known as &ldquo;tivoization&rdquo; or (through  practice known as &ldquo;tivoization&rdquo; or &ldquo;lockdown&rdquo;,
145  blacklisting) as &ldquo;secure boot&rdquo; &mdash; freedom 1 becomes a  or (in its practitioners' perverse terminology) as &ldquo;secure
146  theoretical fiction rather than a practical freedom.  This is not  boot&rdquo; &mdash; freedom 1 becomes an empty pretense rather than a
147  sufficient.  In other words, these binaries are not free software  practical reality.  These binaries are not free
148  even if the source code they are compiled from is free.  software even if the source code they are compiled from is free.
149  </p>  </p>
150    
151  <p>  <p>
# Line 112  license is too restrictive to qualify as Line 157  license is too restrictive to qualify as
157  </p>  </p>
158    
159  <p>  <p>
160  Freedom 3 includes the freedom to use release your modified versions  Whether a change constitutes an improvement is a subjective matter.
161    If your right to modify a program is limited, in substance, to changes that
162    someone else considers an improvement, that program is not free.
163    </p>
164    
165    <h4>The freedom to redistribute if you wish: basic requirements</h4>
166    
167    <p>Freedom to distribute (freedoms 2 and 3) means you are free to
168    redistribute copies, either with or without modifications, either
169    gratis or charging a fee for distribution, to
170    <a href="#exportcontrol">anyone anywhere</a>.  Being free to do these
171    things means (among other things) that you do not have to ask or pay
172    for permission to do so.
173    </p>
174    
175    <p>
176    You should also have the freedom to make modifications and use them
177    privately in your own work or play, without even mentioning that they
178    exist.  If you do publish your changes, you should not be required to
179    notify anyone in particular, or in any particular way.
180    </p>
181    
182    <p>
183    Freedom 3 includes the freedom to release your modified versions
184  as free software.  A free license may also permit other ways of  as free software.  A free license may also permit other ways of
185  releasing them; in other words, it does not have to be  releasing them; in other words, it does not have to be
186  a <a href="/copyleft/copyleft.html">copyleft</a> license.  However, a  a <a href="/copyleft/copyleft.html">copyleft</a> license.  However, a
# Line 121  as a free license. Line 189  as a free license.
189  </p>  </p>
190    
191  <p>  <p>
192  In order for these freedoms to be real, they must be permanent and  The freedom to redistribute copies must include binary or executable
193  irrevocable as long as you do nothing wrong; if the developer of the  forms of the program, as well as source code, for both modified and
194  software has the power to revoke the license, or retroactively change  unmodified versions.  (Distributing programs in runnable form is necessary
195  its terms, without your doing anything wrong to give cause, the  for conveniently installable free operating systems.)  It is OK if there
196  software is not free.  is no way to produce a binary or executable form for a certain program
197    (since some languages don't support that feature), but you must have the
198    freedom to redistribute such forms should you find or develop a way to
199    make them.
200  </p>  </p>
201    
202    <h4>Copyleft</h4>
203    
204  <p>  <p>
205  However, certain kinds of rules about the manner of distributing free  Certain kinds of rules about the manner of distributing free
206  software are acceptable, when they don't conflict with the central  software are acceptable, when they don't conflict with the central
207  freedoms.  For example, copyleft (very simply stated) is the rule that  freedoms.  For example, <a href="/copyleft/copyleft.html">copyleft</a>
208  when redistributing the program, you cannot add restrictions to deny  (very simply stated) is the rule that when redistributing the program,
209  other people the central freedoms.  This rule does not conflict with  you cannot add restrictions to deny other people the central freedoms.
210  the central freedoms; rather it protects them.  This rule does not conflict with the central freedoms; rather it
211    protects them.
212  </p>  </p>
213    
214  <p>  <p>
215  &ldquo;Free software&rdquo; does not mean &ldquo;noncommercial.&rdquo;  A free  In the GNU project, we use copyleft to protect the four freedoms
216  program must be available for commercial use, commercial development,  legally for everyone.  We believe there are important reasons why
217  and commercial distribution.  Commercial development of free software  <a href="/philosophy/pragmatic.html">it is better to use
218  is no longer unusual; such free commercial software is very important.  copyleft</a>.  However,
219  You may have paid money to get copies of free software, or you may have  <a href="/philosophy/categories.html#Non-CopyleftedFreeSoftware">
220  obtained copies at no charge.  But regardless of how you got your copies,  noncopylefted free software</a> is ethical
221  you always have the freedom to copy and change the software, even to  too.  See <a href="/philosophy/categories.html">Categories of Free
222  <a href="/philosophy/selling.html">sell copies</a>.  Software</a> for a description of how &ldquo;free software,&rdquo;
223    &ldquo;copylefted software&rdquo; and other categories of software
224    relate to each other.
225    </p>
226    
227    <h4>Rules about packaging and distribution details</h4>
228    
229    <p>
230    Rules about how to package a modified version are acceptable,
231    if they don't substantively limit your freedom to release modified
232    versions, or your freedom to make and use modified versions privately.
233    Thus, it is acceptable for the license to require that you change the
234    name of the modified version, remove a logo, or identify your
235    modifications as yours.  As long as these requirements are not so
236    burdensome that they effectively hamper you from releasing your
237    changes, they are acceptable; you're already making other changes to
238    the program, so you won't have trouble making a few more.
239  </p>  </p>
240    
241  <p>  <p>
242  Whether a change constitutes an improvement is a subjective matter.  Rules that &ldquo;if you make your version available in this way, you
243  If your modifications are limited, in substance, to changes that  must make it available in that way also&rdquo; can be acceptable too,
244  someone else considers an improvement, that is not freedom.  on the same condition.  An example of such an acceptable rule is one
245    saying that if you have distributed a
246    modified version and a previous developer asks for a copy of it, you
247    must send one.  (Note that such a rule still leaves you the choice of
248    whether to distribute your version at all.)  Rules that require release
249    of source code to the users for versions that you put into public use
250    are also acceptable.
251  </p>  </p>
252    
253  <p>  <p>
254  However, rules about how to package a modified version are acceptable, if they  A special issue arises when a license requires changing the name by
255  don't substantively limit your freedom to release modified versions, or  which the program will be invoked from other programs.  That
256  your freedom to make and use modified versions privately.  Rules that &ldquo;if  effectively hampers you from releasing your changed version so that it
257  you make your version available in this way, you must make it available in  can replace the original when invoked by those other programs.  This
258  that way also&rdquo; can be acceptable too, on the same condition.  (Note that  sort of requirement is acceptable only if there's a suitable aliasing
259  such a rule still leaves you the choice of whether to publish your version  facility that allows you to specify the original program's name as an
260  at all.)  Rules that require release of source code to the users for  alias for the modified version.</p>
 versions that you put into public use are also acceptable.  It is also  
 acceptable for the license to require that you identify  
 your modifications as yours, or that, if you have distributed a modified  
 version and a previous developer asks for a copy of it, you must send  
 one.  
 </p>  
261    
262  <p>  <h4>Export regulations</h4>
 In the GNU project, we use  
 &ldquo;<a href="/copyleft/copyleft.html">copyleft</a>&rdquo;  
 to protect these freedoms legally for everyone.  But  
 <a href="/philosophy/categories.html#Non-CopyleftedFreeSoftware">non-copylefted  
 free software</a> also exists.  We believe there are important reasons why  
 <a href="/philosophy/pragmatic.html">it is better to use copyleft</a>,  
 but if your program is non-copylefted free software, it is still basically  
 ethical.  
 </p>  
   
 <p>  
 See <a href="/philosophy/categories.html">Categories of Free Software</a>  
 for a description of how &ldquo;free software,&rdquo; &ldquo;copylefted software&rdquo;  
 and other categories of software relate to each other.  
 </p>  
263    
264  <p>  <p>
265  Sometimes government <a id="exportcontrol">export control regulations</a>  Sometimes government <a id="exportcontrol">export control regulations</a>
# Line 194  eliminate or override these restrictions Line 269  eliminate or override these restrictions
269  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
270  way, the restrictions will not affect activities and people outside the  way, the restrictions will not affect activities and people outside the
271  jurisdictions of these governments.  Thus, free software licenses  jurisdictions of these governments.  Thus, free software licenses
272  must not require obedience to any export regulations as a condition of  must not require obedience to any nontrivial export regulations as a
273  any of the essential freedoms.  condition of exercising any of the essential freedoms.
274    </p>
275    
276    <p>
277    Merely mentioning the existence of export regulations, without making
278    them a condition of the license itself, is acceptable since it does
279    not restrict users.  If an export regulation is actually trivial for
280    free software, then requiring it as a condition is not an actual
281    problem; however, it is a potential problem, since a later change in
282    export law could make the requirement nontrivial and thus render the
283    software nonfree.
284    </p>
285    
286    <h4>Legal considerations</h4>
287    
288    <p>
289    In order for these freedoms to be real, they must be permanent and
290    irrevocable as long as you do nothing wrong; if the developer of the
291    software has the power to revoke the license, or retroactively add
292    restrictions to its terms, without your doing anything wrong to give
293    cause, the software is not free.
294  </p>  </p>
295    
296  <p>  <p>
297    A free license may not require compliance with the license of a
298    nonfree program.  Thus, for instance, if a license requires you to
299    comply with the licenses of &ldquo;all the programs you use&rdquo;, in
300    the case of a user that runs nonfree programs this would require
301    compliance with the licenses of those nonfree programs; that makes the
302    license nonfree.
303    </p>
304    
305    <p>
306    It is acceptable for a free license to specify which jurisdiction's
307    law applies, or where litigation must be done, or both.
308    </p>
309    
310    <h4>Contract-based licenses</h4>
311    
312    <p>
313  Most free software licenses are based on copyright, and there are limits  Most free software licenses are based on copyright, and there are limits
314  on what kinds of requirements can be imposed through copyright.  If a  on what kinds of requirements can be imposed through copyright.  If a
315  copyright-based license respects freedom in the ways described above, it  copyright-based license respects freedom in the ways described above, it
# Line 217  legitimate, we will have to think about Line 328  legitimate, we will have to think about
328  it is nonfree.  it is nonfree.
329  </p>  </p>
330    
331    <h4>Use the right words when talking about free software</h4>
332    
333  <p>  <p>
334  When talking about free software, it is best to avoid using terms  When talking about free software, it is best to avoid using terms
335  like &ldquo;give away&rdquo; or &ldquo;for free,&rdquo; because those terms imply that  like &ldquo;give away&rdquo; or &ldquo;for free,&rdquo; because those terms imply that
# Line 228  a list of proper <a href="/philosophy/fs Line 341  a list of proper <a href="/philosophy/fs
341  &ldquo;free software&rdquo;</a> into various languages.  &ldquo;free software&rdquo;</a> into various languages.
342  </p>  </p>
343    
344    <h4>How we interpret these criteria</h4>
345    
346  <p>  <p>
347  Finally, note that criteria such as those stated in this free software  Finally, note that criteria such as those stated in this free software
348  definition require careful thought for their interpretation.  To decide  definition require careful thought for their interpretation.  To decide
# Line 242  a conclusion about a new issue, we often Line 357  a conclusion about a new issue, we often
357  it easier to see why certain licenses do or don't qualify.  it easier to see why certain licenses do or don't qualify.
358  </p>  </p>
359    
360    <h4>Get help with free licenses</h4>
361    
362  <p>  <p>
363  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
364  software license, see our <a href="/licenses/license-list.html">list  software license, see our <a href="/licenses/license-list.html">list
# Line 264  help you can ensure that the license rea Line 381  help you can ensure that the license rea
381  and avoid various practical problems.  and avoid various practical problems.
382  </p>  </p>
383    
384  <h2 id="beyond-software">Beyond Software</h2>  <h3 id="beyond-software">Beyond Software</h3>
385    
386  <p>  <p>
387  <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 276  manuals are in effect part of the softwa Line 393  manuals are in effect part of the softwa
393  The same arguments also make sense for other kinds of works of  The same arguments also make sense for other kinds of works of
394  practical use &mdash; that is to say, works that embody useful knowledge,  practical use &mdash; that is to say, works that embody useful knowledge,
395  such as educational works and reference  such as educational works and reference
396  works.  <a href="http://wikipedia.org">Wikipedia</a> is the best known  works.  <a href="http://wikipedia.org">Wikipedia</a> is the best-known
397  example.  example.
398  </p>  </p>
399    
# Line 286  has been extended to a definition of <a Line 403  has been extended to a definition of <a
403  free cultural works</a> applicable to any kind of works.  free cultural works</a> applicable to any kind of works.
404  </p>  </p>
405    
406  <h2 id="open-source">Open Source?</h2>  <h3 id="open-source">Open Source?</h3>
407    
408  <p>  <p>
409  Another group has started using the term &ldquo;open source&rdquo; to mean  Another group uses the term &ldquo;open source&rdquo; to mean
410  something close (but not identical) to &ldquo;free software.&rdquo;  We  something close (but not identical) to &ldquo;free software&rdquo;.  We
411  prefer the term &ldquo;free software&rdquo; because, once you have heard that  prefer the term &ldquo;free software&rdquo; because, once you have heard that
412  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
413  word &ldquo;open&rdquo; <a href="/philosophy/open-source-misses-the-point.html">  word &ldquo;open&rdquo; <a href="/philosophy/open-source-misses-the-point.html">
414  never refers to freedom</a>.  never refers to freedom</a>.
415  </p>  </p>
416    
417  <h2 id="History">History</h2>  <h3 id="History">History</h3>
418    
419  <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
420  clarify it.  Here we provide a list of those modifications, along with  the list of substantive changes, along with links to show exactly what
421  links to illustrate exactly what changed, so that others can review  was changed.</p>
 them if they like.</p>  
422    
423  <ul>  <ul>
424    
425    <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
426    1.141</a>: Clarify which code needs to be free.</li>
427    
428    <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
429    1.135</a>: Say each time that freedom 0 is the freedom to run the program
430    as you wish.</li>
431    
432    <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
433    1.134</a>: Freedom 0 is not a matter of the program's functionality.</li>
434    
435    <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
436    1.131</a>: A free license may not require compliance with a nonfree license
437    of another program.</li>
438    
439    <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
440    1.129</a>: State explicitly that choice of law and choice of forum
441    specifications are allowed.  (This was always our policy.)</li>
442    
443    <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
444    1.122</a>: An export control requirement is a real problem if the
445    requirement is nontrivial; otherwise it is only a potential problem.</li>
446    
447    <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
448    1.118</a>: Clarification: the issue is limits on your right to modify,
449    not on what modifications you have made.  And modifications are not limited
450    to &ldquo;improvements&rdquo;</li>
451    
452    <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
453    1.111</a>: Clarify 1.77 by saying that only
454    retroactive <em>restrictions</em> are unacceptable.  The copyright
455    holders can always grant additional <em>permission</em> for use of the
456    work by releasing the work in another way in parallel.</li>
457    
458    <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
459    1.105</a>: Reflect, in the brief statement of freedom 1, the point
460    (already stated in version 1.80) that it includes really using your modified
461    version for your computing.</li>
462    
463    <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
464    1.92</a>: Clarify that obfuscated code does not qualify as source code.</li>
465    
466  <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  <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
467  1.90</a>: Clarify that freedom 3 means the right to distribute copies  1.90</a>: Clarify that freedom 3 means the right to distribute copies
468  of your own modified or improved version, not a right to participate  of your own modified or improved version, not a right to participate
# Line 371  licenses.</li> Line 528  licenses.</li>
528    
529  <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
530  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
531  versions you distribute to the author.</li>  versions you distribute to previous developers on request.</li>
532    
533  </ul>  </ul>
534    
535  <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
536  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
537  Instead, they fix links, add translations, and so on.  If you would  interpretations.  For instance, the list does not include changes in
538  like to review the complete list of changes, you can do so on  asides, formatting, spelling, punctuation, or other parts of the page.
539  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
540    the <a href="http://web.cvs.savannah.gnu.org/viewvc/www/philosophy/free-sw.html?root=www&amp;view=log">cvsweb
541  interface</a>.</p>  interface</a>.</p>
542    
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543    
544    </div><!-- for id="content", starts in the include above -->
545  <!--#include virtual="/server/footer.html" -->  <!--#include virtual="/server/footer.html" -->
   
546  <div id="footer">  <div id="footer">
547    <div class="unprintable">
548    
549  <p>  <p>Please send general FSF &amp; GNU inquiries to
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550  <a href="mailto:gnu@gnu.org">&lt;gnu@gnu.org&gt;</a>.  <a href="mailto:gnu@gnu.org">&lt;gnu@gnu.org&gt;</a>.
551  There are also <a href="/contact/">other ways to contact</a>  There are also <a href="/contact/">other ways to contact</a>
552  the FSF.  the FSF.  Broken links and other corrections or suggestions can be sent
553  <br />  to <a href="mailto:webmasters@gnu.org">&lt;webmasters@gnu.org&gt;</a>.</p>
554  Please send broken links and other corrections or suggestions to  
555  <a href="mailto:webmasters@gnu.org">&lt;webmasters@gnu.org&gt;</a>.  <p><!-- TRANSLATORS: Ignore the original text in this paragraph,
556  </p>          replace it with the translation of these two:
557    
558            We work hard and do our best to provide accurate, good quality
559            translations.  However, we are not exempt from imperfection.
560            Please send your comments and general suggestions in this regard
561            to <a href="mailto:web-translators@gnu.org">
562            &lt;web-translators@gnu.org&gt;</a>.</p>
563    
564            <p>For information on coordinating and submitting translations of
565            our web pages, see <a
566            href="/server/standards/README.translations.html">Translations
567            README</a>. -->
568    Please see the <a
569    href="/server/standards/README.translations.html">Translations
570    README</a> for information on coordinating and submitting translations
571    of this article.</p>
572    </div>
573    
574  <p>  <!-- Regarding copyright, in general, standalone pages (as opposed to
575  Please see the       files generated as part of manuals) on the GNU web server should
576  <a href="/server/standards/README.translations.html">Translations       be under CC BY-ND 4.0.  Please do NOT change or remove this
577  README</a> for information on coordinating and submitting       without talking with the webmasters or licensing team first.
578  translations of this article.       Please make sure the copyright date is consistent with the
579  </p>       document.  For web pages, it is ok to list just the latest year the
580         document was modified, or published.
581        
582         If you wish to list earlier years, that is ok too.
583         Either "2001, 2002, 2003" or "2001-2003" are ok for specifying
584         years, as long as each year in the range is in fact a copyrightable
585         year, i.e., a year in which the document was published (including
586         being publicly visible on the web or in a revision control system).
587        
588         There is more detail about copyright years in the GNU Maintainers
589         Information document, www.gnu.org/prep/maintain. -->
590    
591    <p>Copyright &copy; 1996, 2002, 2004-2007, 2009-2016
592    Free Software Foundation, Inc.</p>
593    
594    <p>This page is licensed under a <a rel="license"
595    href="http://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-nd/4.0/">Creative
596    Commons Attribution-NoDerivatives 4.0 International License</a>.</p>
597    
598  <p>  <!--#include virtual="/server/bottom-notes.html" -->
 Copyright &copy; 1996, 1997, 1998, 1999, 2000, 2001, 2002, 2003, 2004,  
 2005, 2006, 2007, 2009 Free Software Foundation, Inc.  
 </p>  
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 permitted in any medium without royalty provided this notice is  
 preserved.  
 </p>  
599    
600  <p>  <p class="unprintable">Updated:
 Updated:  
601  <!-- timestamp start -->  <!-- timestamp start -->
602  $Date$  $Date$
603  <!-- timestamp end -->  <!-- timestamp end -->
604  </p>  </p>
605  </div>  </div>
   
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606  </div>  </div>
   
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