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<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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<h2>What is Free Software?</h2> |
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<h2>What is free software?</h2> |
<div class="article"> |
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<div class="important"> |
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<blockquote class="note" id="fsf-licensing"><p style="font-size: 80%"> |
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Have a question about free software licensing not answered here? |
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See our other <a href="http://www.fsf.org/licensing">licensing resources</a>, |
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and if necessary contact the FSF Compliance Lab |
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at <a href="mailto:licensing@fsf.org">licensing@fsf.org</a>.</p> |
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</blockquote> |
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<h3>The Free Software Definition</h3> |
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<blockquote> |
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<p> |
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The free software definition presents the criteria for whether a |
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particular software program qualifies as free software. From time to |
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time we revise this definition, to clarify it or to resolve questions |
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about subtle issues. See the <a href="#History">History section</a> |
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below for a list of changes that affect the definition of free |
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software. |
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</p> |
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</blockquote> |
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<p> |
<p> |
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“Free software” means software that respects users' |
“Free software” means software that respects users' |
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freedom and community. Roughly, it means that <b>the users have the |
freedom and community. Roughly, it means that <b>the users have the |
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</p> |
</p> |
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<p> |
<p> |
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You may have paid money to get copies of a free program, or you may |
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have obtained copies at no charge. But regardless of how you got your |
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copies, you always have the freedom to copy and change the software, |
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even to <a href="/philosophy/selling.html">sell copies</a>. |
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</p> |
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</div> |
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<p> |
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We campaign for these freedoms because everyone deserves them. With |
We campaign for these freedoms because everyone deserves them. With |
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these freedoms, the users (both individually and collectively) control |
these freedoms, the users (both individually and collectively) control |
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the program and what it does for them. When users don't control the |
the program and what it does for them. When users don't control the |
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an instrument of unjust power</a>. |
an instrument of unjust power</a>. |
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</p> |
</p> |
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<h4> The four essential freedoms</h4> |
<p> |
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“Open source” is something different: it has a very |
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different philosophy based on different values. Its practical |
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definition is different too, but nearly all open source programs are |
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in fact free. We explain the |
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difference in <a href="/philosophy/open-source-misses-the-point.html"> |
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Why “Open Source” misses the point of Free Software</a>. |
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</p> |
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<div class="toc"> |
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<hr class="no-display" /> |
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<h3 class="no-display">Table of contents</h3> |
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<ul> |
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<li><a href="#fs-definition">The Free Software Definition</a> |
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<ul> |
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<li><a href="#four-freedoms">The four essential freedoms</a></li> |
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<li><a href="#selling">Free software <em>can</em> be commercial</a></li> |
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</ul> |
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</li> |
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<li><a href="#clarifying">Clarifying the Boundary Between Free and Nonfree</a> |
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<ul> |
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<li><a href="#run-the-program">The freedom to run the program as you |
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wish</a></li> |
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<li><a href="#make-changes">The freedom to study the source code and make |
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changes</a></li> |
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<li><a href="#redistribute">The freedom to redistribute if you wish: |
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basic requirements</a></li> |
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<li><a href="#copyleft">Copyleft</a></li> |
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<li><a href="#packaging">Rules about packaging and distribution |
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details</a></li> |
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<li><a href="#exportcontrol">Export regulations</a></li> |
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<li><a href="#legal-details">Legal considerations</a></li> |
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<li><a href="#contracts">Contract-based licenses</a></li> |
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</ul> |
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</li> |
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<li><a href="#in-practice">The Free Software Definition in Practice</a> |
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<ul> |
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<li><a href="#interpretation">How we interpret these criteria</a></li> |
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<li><a href="#get-help">Get help with free licenses</a></li> |
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<li><a href="#terminology">Use the right words when talking about free |
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software</a></li> |
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</ul> |
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</li> |
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<li><a href="#beyond-software">Beyond Software</a></li> |
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<li><a href="#History">History</a></li> |
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</ul> |
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</div> |
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<div class="edu-note" id="fsf-licensing"> |
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<p style="font-size:80%"> |
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Have a question about free software licensing not answered here? |
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See our other <a href="http://www.fsf.org/licensing">licensing resources</a>, |
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and if necessary contact the FSF Compliance Lab |
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at <a href="mailto:licensing@fsf.org">licensing@fsf.org</a>.</p> |
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<hr class="no-display" /> |
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</div> |
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<h3 id="fs-definition" class="subheader">The Free Software Definition</h3> |
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<p> |
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The free software definition presents the criteria for whether a |
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particular software program qualifies as free software. From time to |
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time we revise this definition, to clarify it or to resolve questions |
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about subtle issues. See the <a href="#History">History section</a> |
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below for a list of changes that affect the definition of free |
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software. |
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</p> |
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<h4 id="four-freedoms">The four essential freedoms</h4> |
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<p> |
<p> |
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A program is free software if the program's users have the |
A program is free software if the program's users have the |
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four essential freedoms: |
four essential freedoms: <a href="#f1">[1]</a> |
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</p> |
</p> |
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<ul> |
<ul class="important"> |
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<li>The freedom to run the program as you wish, |
<li>The freedom to run the program as you wish, |
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for any purpose (freedom 0).</li> |
for any purpose (freedom 0).</li> |
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<li>The freedom to study how the program works, and change it so it |
<li>The freedom to study how the program works, and change it so it |
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does your computing as you wish (freedom 1). Access to the source |
does your computing as you wish (freedom 1). Access to the source |
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code is a precondition for this. |
code is a precondition for this. |
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</li> |
</li> |
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<li>The freedom to redistribute copies so you can help your neighbor |
<li>The freedom to redistribute copies so you can help others |
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(freedom 2). |
(freedom 2). |
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</li> |
</li> |
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<li>The freedom to distribute copies of your modified versions |
<li>The freedom to distribute copies of your modified versions |
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are free. However, if we plan to modify A so that it doesn't use B, |
are free. However, if we plan to modify A so that it doesn't use B, |
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only A needs to be free; B is not pertinent to that plan.</p> |
only A needs to be free; B is not pertinent to that plan.</p> |
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<h4 id="selling">Free software <em>can</em> be commercial</h4> |
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<p> |
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“Free software” does not mean “noncommercial”. |
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On the contrary, a free program must be available for commercial use, |
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commercial development, and commercial distribution. This policy is |
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of fundamental importance—without this, free software could not |
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achieve its aims. |
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</p> |
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<p> |
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We want to invite everyone to use the GNU system, including businesses |
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and their workers. That requires allowing commercial use. We hope |
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that free replacement programs will supplant comparable proprietary |
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programs, but they can't do that if businesses are forbidden to use |
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them. We want commercial products that contain software to include |
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the GNU system, and that would constitute commercial distribution for |
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a price. Commercial development of free software is no longer |
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unusual; such free commercial software is very important. Paid, |
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professional support for free software fills an important need. |
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</p> |
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<p> |
<p> |
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“Free software” does not mean “noncommercial”. A free |
Thus, to exclude commercial use, commercial development or commercial |
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program must be available for commercial use, commercial development, |
distribution would hobble the free software community and obstruct its |
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and commercial distribution. Commercial development of free software |
path to success. We must conclude that a program licensed with such |
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is no longer unusual; such free commercial software is very important. |
restrictions does not qualify as free software. |
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You may have paid money to get copies of free software, or you may have |
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obtained copies at no charge. But regardless of how you got your copies, |
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you always have the freedom to copy and change the software, even to |
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<a href="/philosophy/selling.html">sell copies</a>. |
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</p> |
</p> |
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<p>The rest of this page clarifies certain points about what makes |
<p> |
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specific freedoms adequate or not.</p> |
A free program must offer the four freedoms to any would-be user that |
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obtains a copy of the software, who has complied thus far with the |
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conditions of the free license covering the software in any previous |
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distribution of it. Putting some of the freedoms off limits to some |
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users, or requiring that users pay, in money or in kind, to exercise |
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them, is tantamount to not granting the freedoms in question, and thus |
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renders the program nonfree. |
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</p> |
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<h3 id="clarifying" class="subheader">Clarifying the Boundary Between Free and Nonfree</h3> |
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<p>In the rest of this article we explain more precisely how far the |
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various freedoms need to extend, on various issues, in order for a |
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program to be free.</p> |
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<h4>The freedom to run the program as you wish</h4> |
<h4 id="run-the-program">The freedom to run the program as you wish</h4> |
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<p> |
<p> |
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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 |
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functioning in any given environment, or whether it is useful for any |
functioning in any given environment, or whether it is useful for any |
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particular computing activity.</p> |
particular computing activity.</p> |
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<h4>The freedom to study the source code and make changes</h4> |
<p>For example, if the code arbitrarily rejects certain meaningful |
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inputs—or even fails unconditionally—that may make the |
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program less useful, perhaps even totally useless, but it does not |
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deny users the freedom to run the program, so it does not conflict |
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with freedom 0. If the program is free, the users can overcome the |
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loss of usefulness, because freedoms 1 and 3 permit users and |
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communities to make and distribute modified versions without the |
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arbitrary nuisance code.</p> |
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<p>“As you wish” includes, optionally, “not at |
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all” if that is what you wish. So there is no need for a |
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separate “freedom not to run a program.”</p> |
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<h4 id="make-changes">The freedom to study the source code and make changes</h4> |
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<p> |
<p> |
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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 |
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freedom to publish the changed versions) to be meaningful, you must have |
freedom to publish the changed versions) to be meaningful, you need to have |
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access to the source code of the program. Therefore, accessibility of |
access to the source code of the program. Therefore, accessibility of |
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source code is a necessary condition for free software. Obfuscated |
source code is a necessary condition for free software. Obfuscated |
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“source code” is not real source code and does not count |
“source code” is not real source code and does not count |
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someone else considers an improvement, that program is not free. |
someone else considers an improvement, that program is not free. |
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</p> |
</p> |
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<h4>The freedom to redistribute if you wish: basic requirements</h4> |
<p> |
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One special case of freedom 1 is to delete the program's code so it |
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returns after doing nothing, or make it invoke some other program. |
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Thus, freedom 1 includes the “freedom to delete the program.” |
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</p> |
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<h4 id="redistribute">The freedom to redistribute if you wish: basic |
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requirements</h4> |
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<p>Freedom to distribute (freedoms 2 and 3) means you are free to |
<p>Freedom to distribute (freedoms 2 and 3) means you are free to |
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redistribute copies, either with or without modifications, either |
redistribute copies, either with or without modifications, either |
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Freedom 3 includes the freedom to release your modified versions |
Freedom 3 includes the freedom to release your modified versions |
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as free software. A free license may also permit other ways of |
as free software. A free license may also permit other ways of |
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releasing them; in other words, it does not have to be |
releasing them; in other words, it does not have to be |
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a <a href="/copyleft/copyleft.html">copyleft</a> license. However, a |
a <a href="/licenses/copyleft.html">copyleft</a> license. However, a |
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license that requires modified versions to be nonfree does not qualify |
license that requires modified versions to be nonfree does not qualify |
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as a free license. |
as a free license. |
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</p> |
</p> |
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make them. |
make them. |
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</p> |
</p> |
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<h4>Copyleft</h4> |
<h4 id="copyleft">Copyleft</h4> |
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<p> |
<p> |
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Certain kinds of rules about the manner of distributing free |
Certain kinds of rules about the manner of distributing free |
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software are acceptable, when they don't conflict with the central |
software are acceptable, when they don't conflict with the central |
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freedoms. For example, <a href="/copyleft/copyleft.html">copyleft</a> |
freedoms. For example, <a href="/licenses/copyleft.html">copyleft</a> |
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(very simply stated) is the rule that when redistributing the program, |
(very simply stated) is the rule that when redistributing the program, |
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you cannot add restrictions to deny other people the central freedoms. |
you cannot add restrictions to deny other people the central freedoms. |
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This rule does not conflict with the central freedoms; rather it |
This rule does not conflict with the central freedoms; rather it |
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relate to each other. |
relate to each other. |
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</p> |
</p> |
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<h4>Rules about packaging and distribution details</h4> |
<h4 id="packaging">Rules about packaging and distribution details</h4> |
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<p> |
<p> |
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Rules about how to package a modified version are acceptable, |
Rules about how to package a modified version are acceptable, |
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facility that allows you to specify the original program's name as an |
facility that allows you to specify the original program's name as an |
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alias for the modified version.</p> |
alias for the modified version.</p> |
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<h4>Export regulations</h4> |
<h4 id="exportcontrol">Export regulations</h4> |
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<p> |
<p> |
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Sometimes government <a id="exportcontrol">export control regulations</a> |
Sometimes government export control regulations |
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and trade sanctions can constrain your freedom to distribute copies of |
and trade sanctions can constrain your freedom to distribute copies of |
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programs internationally. Software developers do not have the power to |
programs internationally. Software developers do not have the power to |
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eliminate or override these restrictions, but what they can and must do |
eliminate or override these restrictions, but what they can and must do |
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software nonfree. |
software nonfree. |
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</p> |
</p> |
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<h4>Legal considerations</h4> |
<h4 id="legal-details">Legal considerations</h4> |
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<p> |
<p> |
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In order for these freedoms to be real, they must be permanent and |
In order for these freedoms to be real, they must be permanent and |
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law applies, or where litigation must be done, or both. |
law applies, or where litigation must be done, or both. |
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</p> |
</p> |
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<h4>Contract-based licenses</h4> |
<h4 id="contracts">Contract-based licenses</h4> |
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<p> |
<p> |
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Most free software licenses are based on copyright, and there are limits |
Most free software licenses are based on copyright, and there are limits |
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it is nonfree. |
it is nonfree. |
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</p> |
</p> |
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<h4>Use the right words when talking about free software</h4> |
<h3 id="in-practice" class="subheader">The Free Software Definition in Practice</h3> |
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<p> |
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When talking about free software, it is best to avoid using terms |
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like “give away” or “for free,” because those terms imply that |
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the issue is about price, not freedom. Some common terms such |
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as “piracy” embody opinions we hope you won't endorse. See |
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<a href="/philosophy/words-to-avoid.html">Confusing Words and Phrases that |
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are Worth Avoiding</a> for a discussion of these terms. We also have |
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a list of proper <a href="/philosophy/fs-translations.html">translations of |
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“free software”</a> into various languages. |
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</p> |
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<h4>How we interpret these criteria</h4> |
<h4 id="interpretation">How we interpret these criteria</h4> |
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<p> |
<p> |
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Finally, note that criteria such as those stated in this free software |
Note that criteria such as those stated in this free software |
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definition require careful thought for their interpretation. To decide |
definition require careful thought for their interpretation. To decide |
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whether a specific software license qualifies as a free software license, |
whether a specific software license qualifies as a free software license, |
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we judge it based on these criteria to determine whether it fits their |
we judge it based on these criteria to determine whether it fits their |
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it easier to see why certain licenses do or don't qualify. |
it easier to see why certain licenses do or don't qualify. |
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</p> |
</p> |
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<h4>Get help with free licenses</h4> |
<h4 id="get-help">Get help with free licenses</h4> |
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<p> |
<p> |
475 |
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 |
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and avoid various practical problems. |
and avoid various practical problems. |
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</p> |
</p> |
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|
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<h3 id="beyond-software">Beyond Software</h3> |
<h4 id="terminology">Use the right words when talking about free software</h4> |
497 |
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|
498 |
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<p> |
499 |
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When talking about free software, it is best to avoid using terms |
500 |
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like “give away” or “for free,” because those terms imply that |
501 |
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the issue is about price, not freedom. Some common terms such |
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as “piracy” embody opinions we hope you won't endorse. See |
503 |
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<a href="/philosophy/words-to-avoid.html">Confusing Words and Phrases that |
504 |
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are Worth Avoiding</a> for a discussion of these terms. We also have |
505 |
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a list of proper <a href="/philosophy/fs-translations.html">translations of |
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“free software”</a> into various languages. |
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</p> |
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<p id="open-source"> |
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Another group uses the term “open source” to mean |
511 |
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something close (but not identical) to “free software”. We |
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prefer the term “free software” because, once you have heard that |
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it refers to freedom rather than price, it calls to mind freedom. The |
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word “open” never refers to freedom. |
515 |
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</p> |
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<h3 id="beyond-software" class="subheader">Beyond Software</h3> |
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|
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<p> |
<p> |
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<a href="/philosophy/free-doc.html">Software manuals must be free</a>, |
<a href="/philosophy/free-doc.html">Software manuals must be free</a>, |
526 |
The same arguments also make sense for other kinds of works of |
The same arguments also make sense for other kinds of works of |
527 |
practical use — that is to say, works that embody useful knowledge, |
practical use — that is to say, works that embody useful knowledge, |
528 |
such as educational works and reference |
such as educational works and reference |
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works. <a href="http://wikipedia.org">Wikipedia</a> is the best-known |
works. <a href="https://wikipedia.org">Wikipedia</a> is the best-known |
530 |
example. |
example. |
531 |
</p> |
</p> |
532 |
|
|
535 |
has been extended to a definition of <a href="http://freedomdefined.org/"> |
has been extended to a definition of <a href="http://freedomdefined.org/"> |
536 |
free cultural works</a> applicable to any kind of works. |
free cultural works</a> applicable to any kind of works. |
537 |
</p> |
</p> |
538 |
|
<hr class="column-limit" /> |
539 |
<h3 id="open-source">Open Source?</h3> |
</div> |
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<p> |
|
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Another group uses the term “open source” to mean |
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something close (but not identical) to “free software”. We |
|
|
prefer the term “free software” because, once you have heard that |
|
|
it refers to freedom rather than price, it calls to mind freedom. The |
|
|
word “open” <a href="/philosophy/open-source-misses-the-point.html"> |
|
|
never refers to freedom</a>. |
|
|
</p> |
|
540 |
|
|
541 |
<h3 id="History">History</h3> |
<h3 id="History">History</h3> |
542 |
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|
546 |
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|
547 |
<ul> |
<ul> |
548 |
|
|
549 |
|
<li><a href="http://web.cvs.savannah.gnu.org/viewvc/www/philosophy/free-sw.html?root=www&r1=1.168&r2=1.169">Version |
550 |
|
1.169</a>: Explain more clearly why the four freedoms must apply |
551 |
|
to commercial activity. Explain why the four freedoms imply the |
552 |
|
freedom not to run the program and the freedom to delete it, so there |
553 |
|
is no need to state those as separate requirements.</li> |
554 |
|
|
555 |
|
<li><a href="http://web.cvs.savannah.gnu.org/viewvc/www/philosophy/free-sw.html?root=www&r1=1.164&r2=1.165">Version |
556 |
|
1.165</a>: Clarify that arbitrary annoyances in the code do not |
557 |
|
negate freedom 0, and that freedoms 1 and 3 enable users to remove them.</li> |
558 |
|
|
559 |
<li><a href="http://web.cvs.savannah.gnu.org/viewvc/www/philosophy/free-sw.html?root=www&r1=1.152&r2=1.153">Version |
<li><a href="http://web.cvs.savannah.gnu.org/viewvc/www/philosophy/free-sw.html?root=www&r1=1.152&r2=1.153">Version |
560 |
1.153</a>: Clarify that freedom to run the program means nothing stops |
1.153</a>: Clarify that freedom to run the program means nothing stops |
561 |
you from making it run.</li> |
you from making it run.</li> |
677 |
You can review the complete list of changes to the page through |
You can review the complete list of changes to the page through |
678 |
the <a href="http://web.cvs.savannah.gnu.org/viewvc/www/philosophy/free-sw.html?root=www&view=log">cvsweb |
the <a href="http://web.cvs.savannah.gnu.org/viewvc/www/philosophy/free-sw.html?root=www&view=log">cvsweb |
679 |
interface</a>.</p> |
interface</a>.</p> |
680 |
|
<hr class="column-limit" /> |
681 |
|
|
682 |
|
<h3 class="footnote">Footnote</h3> |
683 |
|
<ol> |
684 |
|
<li id="f1">The reason they are numbered 0, 1, 2 and 3 is historical. Around |
685 |
|
1990 there were three freedoms, numbered 1, 2 and 3. Then we realized that |
686 |
|
the freedom to run the program needed to be mentioned explicitly. |
687 |
|
It was clearly more basic than the other three, so it properly should |
688 |
|
precede them. Rather than renumber the others, we made it freedom 0.</li> |
689 |
|
</ol> |
690 |
|
</div> |
691 |
|
|
692 |
</div><!-- for id="content", starts in the include above --> |
</div><!-- for id="content", starts in the include above --> |
693 |
<!--#include virtual="/server/footer.html" --> |
<!--#include virtual="/server/footer.html" --> |
694 |
<div id="footer"> |
<div id="footer" role="contentinfo"> |
695 |
<div class="unprintable"> |
<div class="unprintable"> |
696 |
|
|
697 |
<p>Please send general FSF & GNU inquiries to |
<p>Please send general FSF & GNU inquiries to |
709 |
to <a href="mailto:web-translators@gnu.org"> |
to <a href="mailto:web-translators@gnu.org"> |
710 |
<web-translators@gnu.org></a>.</p> |
<web-translators@gnu.org></a>.</p> |
711 |
|
|
712 |
<p>For information on coordinating and submitting translations of |
<p>For information on coordinating and contributing translations of |
713 |
our web pages, see <a |
our web pages, see <a |
714 |
href="/server/standards/README.translations.html">Translations |
href="/server/standards/README.translations.html">Translations |
715 |
README</a>. --> |
README</a>. --> |
716 |
Please see the <a |
Please see the <a |
717 |
href="/server/standards/README.translations.html">Translations |
href="/server/standards/README.translations.html">Translations |
718 |
README</a> for information on coordinating and submitting translations |
README</a> for information on coordinating and contributing translations |
719 |
of this article.</p> |
of this article.</p> |
720 |
</div> |
</div> |
721 |
|
|
736 |
There is more detail about copyright years in the GNU Maintainers |
There is more detail about copyright years in the GNU Maintainers |
737 |
Information document, www.gnu.org/prep/maintain. --> |
Information document, www.gnu.org/prep/maintain. --> |
738 |
|
|
739 |
<p>Copyright © 1996, 2002, 2004-2007, 2009-2016 |
<p>Copyright © 1996, 2002, 2004-2007, 2009-2021 |
740 |
Free Software Foundation, Inc.</p> |
Free Software Foundation, Inc.</p> |
741 |
|
|
742 |
<p>This page is licensed under a <a rel="license" |
<p>This page is licensed under a <a rel="license" |
751 |
<!-- timestamp end --> |
<!-- timestamp end --> |
752 |
</p> |
</p> |
753 |
</div> |
</div> |
754 |
</div> |
</div><!-- for class="inner", starts in the banner include --> |
755 |
</body> |
</body> |
756 |
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