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3  <HEAD>  <title>What is free software?
4  <TITLE>The Free Software Definition - GNU Project - Free Software Foundation (FSF)</TITLE>  - GNU Project - Free Software Foundation</title>
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8  <H3>The Free Software Definition</H3>     .note { margin-top: .8em; }
9    }
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11     ALT=" [image of a Philosophical Gnu] "  <meta http-equiv="Keywords" content="GNU, FSF, Free Software Foundation, Linux, Emacs, GCC, Unix, Free Software, Operating System, GNU Kernel, HURD, GNU HURD, Hurd" />
12     WIDTH="160" HEIGHT="200"></A>  <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." />
13    
14  [  <!--#include virtual="/philosophy/po/free-sw.translist" -->
15  <!-- Please keep this list alphabetical -->  <!--#include virtual="/server/banner.html" -->
16  <!-- PLEASE UPDATE THE LIST AT THE BOTTOM (OR TOP) OF THE PAGE TOO! -->  
17    <A HREF="/philosophy/free-sw.hr.html">Croatian</A>  <h2>What is free software?</h2>
18  | <A HREF="/philosophy/free-sw.nl.html">Dutch</A>  
19  | <A HREF="/philosophy/free-sw.html">English</A>  <div class="article">
20  | <A HREF="/philosophy/free-sw.fr.html">French</A>  <h3>The Free Software Definition</h3>
21  | <A HREF="/philosophy/free-sw.gl.html">Galician</A>  
22  | <A HREF="/philosophy/free-sw.hu.html">Hungarian</A>  <blockquote class="note" id="fsf-licensing"><p style="font-size: 80%">
23  | <A HREF="/philosophy/free-sw.id.html">Indonesian</A>  Have a question about free software licensing not answered here?
24  | <A HREF="/philosophy/free-sw.it.html">Italian</A>  See our other <a href="http://www.fsf.org/licensing">licensing resources</a>,
25  | <A HREF="/philosophy/free-sw.ja.html">Japanese</A>  and if necessary contact the FSF Compliance Lab
26  | <A HREF="/philosophy/free-sw.ko.html">Korean</A>  at <a href="mailto:licensing@fsf.org">licensing@fsf.org</a>.</p>
27  | <A HREF="/philosophy/free-sw.no.html">Norwegian</A>  </blockquote>
28  | <A HREF="/philosophy/free-sw.pl.html">Polish</A>  
29  | <A HREF="/philosophy/free-sw.pt.html">Portuguese</A>  <div class="comment">
30  | <A HREF="/philosophy/free-sw.ru.html">Russian</A>  <p>
31  | <A HREF="/philosophy/free-sw.sl.html">Slovenian</A>  The free software definition presents the criteria for whether a
32  | <A HREF="/philosophy/free-sw.es.html">Spanish</A>  particular software program qualifies as free software.  From time to
33  | <A HREF="/philosophy/free-sw.tr.html">Turkish</A>  time we revise this definition, to clarify it or to resolve questions
34  <!-- Please keep this list alphabetical -->  about subtle issues.  See the <a href="#History">History section</a>
35  <!-- PLEASE UPDATE THE LIST AT THE BOTTOM (OR TOP) OF THE PAGE TOO! -->  below for a list of changes that affect the definition of free
36  ]  software.
37  <P>  </p>
38    
39  We maintain this free software definition to show clearly what must be  <p>
40  true about a particular software program for it to be considered  &ldquo;Open source&rdquo; is something different: it has a very
41  free software.  different philosophy based on different values.  Its practical
42    definition is different too, but nearly all open source programs are
43  <P>  in fact free.  We explain the
44    difference in <a href="/philosophy/open-source-misses-the-point.html">
45  ``Free software'' is a matter of liberty, not price.  To understand the  Why &ldquo;Open Source&rdquo; misses the point of Free Software</a>.
46  concept, you should think of ``free'' as in ``free speech,'' not as in  </p>
47  ``free beer.''  </div>
48  <P>  
49  Free software is a matter of the users' freedom to run, copy,  <p>
50  distribute, study, change and improve the software.  More precisely,  &ldquo;Free software&rdquo; means software that respects users'
51  it refers to four kinds of freedom, for the users of the software:  freedom and community.  Roughly, it means that <b>the users have the
52  <P>  freedom to run, copy, distribute, study, change and improve the
53    software</b>.  Thus, &ldquo;free software&rdquo; is a matter of
54  <UL>  liberty, not price.  To understand the concept, you should think of
55    <LI>The freedom to run the program, for any purpose (freedom 0).  &ldquo;free&rdquo; as in &ldquo;free speech,&rdquo; not as in
56    <LI>The freedom to study how the program works, and adapt it to your needs  &ldquo;free beer&rdquo;.  We sometimes call it &ldquo;libre
57        (freedom 1).   Access to the source code is a precondition for this.  software,&rdquo; borrowing the French or Spanish word for
58    <LI>The freedom to redistribute copies so you can help your neighbor  &ldquo;free&rdquo; as in freedom, to show we do not mean the software
59    is gratis.
60    </p>
61    
62    <p>
63    We campaign for these freedoms because everyone deserves them.  With
64    these freedoms, the users (both individually and collectively) control
65    the program and what it does for them.  When users don't control the
66    program, we call it a &ldquo;nonfree&rdquo; or
67    &ldquo;proprietary&rdquo; program.  The nonfree program controls the
68    users, and the developer controls the program; this makes the
69    program <a href="/philosophy/free-software-even-more-important.html">
70    an instrument of unjust power</a>.
71    </p>
72    
73    <h4> The four essential freedoms</h4>
74    
75    <p>
76    A program is free software if the program's users have the
77    four essential freedoms: <a href="#f1">[1]</a>
78    </p>
79    
80    <ul class="important">
81      <li>The freedom to run the program as you wish,
82          for any purpose (freedom 0).</li>
83      <li>The freedom to study how the program works, and change it so it
84          does your computing as you wish (freedom 1). Access to the source
85          code is a precondition for this.
86      </li>
87      <li>The freedom to redistribute copies so you can help others
88        (freedom 2).        (freedom 2).
89    <LI>The freedom to improve the program, and release your improvements    </li>
90       to the public, so that the whole community benefits.    <li>The freedom to distribute copies of your modified versions
91        (freedom 3).   Access to the source code is a precondition for this.        to others (freedom 3).  By doing this you can give the whole
92  </UL>        community a chance to benefit from your changes.
93          Access to the source code is a precondition for this.
94  <P>    </li>
95  A program is free software if users have all of these freedoms.  </ul>
96  Thus, you should be free to redistribute copies, either with or  
97  without modifications, either gratis or charging a fee for  <p>
98  distribution, to <A HREF="#exportcontrol">anyone anywhere</A>.  Being  A program is free software if it gives users adequately all of these
99  free to do these things means (among other things) that you do not  freedoms.  Otherwise, it is nonfree.  While we can distinguish various
100  have to ask or pay for permission.  nonfree distribution schemes in terms of how far they fall short of
101    being free, we consider them all equally unethical.</p>
102    
103    <p>In any given scenario, these freedoms must apply to whatever code
104    we plan to make use of, or lead others to make use of.  For instance,
105    consider a program A which automatically launches a program B to
106    handle some cases.  If we plan to distribute A as it stands, that
107    implies users will need B, so we need to judge whether both A and B
108    are free.  However, if we plan to modify A so that it doesn't use B,
109    only A needs to be free; B is not pertinent to that plan.</p>
110    
111    <p>
112    &ldquo;Free software&rdquo; does not mean &ldquo;noncommercial&rdquo;.  A free
113    program must be available for commercial use, commercial development,
114    and commercial distribution.  Commercial development of free software
115    is no longer unusual; such free commercial software is very important.
116    You may have paid money to get copies of free software, or you may have
117    obtained copies at no charge.  But regardless of how you got your copies,
118    you always have the freedom to copy and change the software, even to
119    <a href="/philosophy/selling.html">sell copies</a>.
120    </p>
121    
122    <p>
123    A free program must offer the four freedoms to any user that obtains a
124    copy of the software, provided the user has complied thus far with the
125    conditions of the free license covering the software.  Putting some of
126    the freedoms off limits to some users, or requiring that users pay, in
127    money or in kind, to exercise them, is tantamount to not granting the
128    freedoms in question, and thus renders the program nonfree.
129    </p>
130    
131    <p>The rest of this page clarifies certain points about what makes
132    specific freedoms adequate or not.</p>
133    
134    <h4>The freedom to run the program as you wish</h4>
135    
136    <p>
137    The freedom to run the program means the freedom for any kind of person
138    or organization to use it on any kind of computer system, for any kind of
139    overall job and purpose, without being required to communicate about it
140    with the developer or any other specific entity.  In this freedom, it is
141    the <em>user's</em> purpose that matters, not the <em>developer's</em>
142    purpose; you as a user are free to run the program for your purposes,
143    and if you distribute it to someone else, she is then free to run it
144    for her purposes, but you are not entitled to impose your purposes on her.
145    </p>
146    
147    <p>
148    The freedom to run the program as you wish means that you are not
149    forbidden or stopped from making it run.  This has nothing to do with what
150    functionality the program has, whether it is technically capable of
151    functioning in any given environment, or whether it is useful for any
152    particular computing activity.</p>
153    
154    <h4>The freedom to study the source code and make changes</h4>
155    
156    <p>
157    In order for freedoms 1 and 3 (the freedom to make changes and the
158    freedom to publish the changed versions) to be meaningful, you must have
159    access to the source code of the program.  Therefore, accessibility of
160    source code is a necessary condition for free software.  Obfuscated
161    &ldquo;source code&rdquo; is not real source code and does not count
162    as source code.
163    </p>
164    
165    <p>
166    Freedom 1 includes the freedom to use your changed version in place of
167    the original.  If the program is delivered in a product designed to
168    run someone else's modified versions but refuse to run yours &mdash; a
169    practice known as &ldquo;tivoization&rdquo; or &ldquo;lockdown&rdquo;,
170    or (in its practitioners' perverse terminology) as &ldquo;secure
171    boot&rdquo; &mdash; freedom 1 becomes an empty pretense rather than a
172    practical reality.  These binaries are not free
173    software even if the source code they are compiled from is free.
174    </p>
175    
176    <p>
177    One important way to modify a program is by merging in available free
178    subroutines and modules.  If the program's license says that you
179    cannot merge in a suitably licensed existing module &mdash; for instance, if it
180    requires you to be the copyright holder of any code you add &mdash; then the
181    license is too restrictive to qualify as free.
182    </p>
183    
184    <p>
185    Whether a change constitutes an improvement is a subjective matter.
186    If your right to modify a program is limited, in substance, to changes that
187    someone else considers an improvement, that program is not free.
188    </p>
189    
190    <h4>The freedom to redistribute if you wish: basic requirements</h4>
191    
192    <p>Freedom to distribute (freedoms 2 and 3) means you are free to
193    redistribute copies, either with or without modifications, either
194    gratis or charging a fee for distribution, to
195    <a href="#exportcontrol">anyone anywhere</a>.  Being free to do these
196    things means (among other things) that you do not have to ask or pay
197    for permission to do so.
198    </p>
199    
200  <P>  <p>
201  You should also have the freedom to make modifications and use them  You should also have the freedom to make modifications and use them
202  privately in your own work or play, without even mentioning that they  privately in your own work or play, without even mentioning that they
203  exist.  If you do publish your changes, you should not be required to  exist.  If you do publish your changes, you should not be required to
204  notify anyone in particular, or in any particular way.  notify anyone in particular, or in any particular way.
205    </p>
206    
207  <P>  <p>
208  The freedom to use a program means the freedom for any kind of person  Freedom 3 includes the freedom to release your modified versions
209  or organization to use it on any kind of computer system, for any kind  as free software.  A free license may also permit other ways of
210  of overall job, and without being required to communicate subsequently  releasing them; in other words, it does not have to be
211  with the developer or any other specific entity.  a <a href="/copyleft/copyleft.html">copyleft</a> license.  However, a
212    license that requires modified versions to be nonfree does not qualify
213    as a free license.
214    </p>
215    
216  <P>  <p>
217  The freedom to redistribute copies must include binary or executable  The freedom to redistribute copies must include binary or executable
218  forms of the program, as well as source code, for both modified and  forms of the program, as well as source code, for both modified and
219  unmodified versions.  It is ok if there is no way to produce a binary  unmodified versions.  (Distributing programs in runnable form is necessary
220  or executable form (since some languages don't support that feature),  for conveniently installable free operating systems.)  It is OK if there
221  but you must have the freedom to redistribute such forms should you  is no way to produce a binary or executable form for a certain program
222  find or develop a way to make them.  (since some languages don't support that feature), but you must have the
223    freedom to redistribute such forms should you find or develop a way to
224  <P>  make them.
225  In order for the freedoms to make changes, and to publish improved  </p>
226  versions, to be meaningful, you must have access to the source code of  
227  the program.  Therefore, accessibility of source code is a necessary  <h4>Copyleft</h4>
 condition for free software.  
   
 <P>  
 In order for these freedoms to be real, they must be irrevocable as  
 long as you do nothing wrong; if the developer of the software has the  
 power to revoke the license, without your doing anything to give  
 cause, the software is not free.  
228    
229  <P>  <p>
230  However, certain kinds of rules about the manner of distributing free  Certain kinds of rules about the manner of distributing free
231  software are acceptable, when they don't conflict with the central  software are acceptable, when they don't conflict with the central
232  freedoms.  For example, copyleft (very simply stated) is the rule that  freedoms.  For example, <a href="/copyleft/copyleft.html">copyleft</a>
233  when redistributing the program, you cannot add restrictions to deny  (very simply stated) is the rule that when redistributing the program,
234  other people the central freedoms.  This rule does not conflict with  you cannot add restrictions to deny other people the central freedoms.
235  the central freedoms; rather it protects them.  This rule does not conflict with the central freedoms; rather it
236    protects them.
237  <P>  </p>
238  Thus, you may have paid money to get copies of GNU software, or you  
239  may have obtained copies at no charge.  But regardless of how you got  <p>
240  your copies, you always have the freedom to copy and change the  In the GNU project, we use copyleft to protect the four freedoms
241  software, even to <A HREF="/philosophy/selling.html">sell copies</A>.  legally for everyone.  We believe there are important reasons why
242  <P>  <a href="/philosophy/pragmatic.html">it is better to use
243    copyleft</a>.  However,
244  ``Free software'' does not mean ``non-commercial''.  A free program  <a href="/philosophy/categories.html#Non-CopyleftedFreeSoftware">
245  must be available for commercial use, commercial development, and  noncopylefted free software</a> is ethical
246  commercial distribution.  Commercial development of free software is  too.  See <a href="/philosophy/categories.html">Categories of Free
247  no longer unusual; such free commercial software is very important.  Software</a> for a description of how &ldquo;free software,&rdquo;
248    &ldquo;copylefted software&rdquo; and other categories of software
249  <P>  relate to each other.
250  Rules about how to package a modified version are acceptable, if they  </p>
251  don't effectively block your freedom to release modified versions.  
252  Rules that ``if you make the program available in this way, you must  <h4>Rules about packaging and distribution details</h4>
253  make it available in that way also'' can be acceptable too, on the  
254  same condition.  (Note that such a rule still leaves you the choice of  <p>
255  whether to publish the program or not.)  It is also acceptable for the  Rules about how to package a modified version are acceptable,
256  license to require that, if you have distributed a modified version  if they don't substantively limit your freedom to release modified
257  and a previous developer asks for a copy of it, you must send one.  versions, or your freedom to make and use modified versions privately.
258    Thus, it is acceptable for the license to require that you change the
259  <P>  name of the modified version, remove a logo, or identify your
260  In the GNU project, we use <A HREF="/copyleft/copyleft.html">  modifications as yours.  As long as these requirements are not so
261  ``copyleft''</A> to protect these freedoms legally for everyone.  But  burdensome that they effectively hamper you from releasing your
262  <A HREF="/philosophy/categories.html#Non-CopyleftedFreeSoftware">  changes, they are acceptable; you're already making other changes to
263  non-copylefted free software</A> also exists.  We believe there are  the program, so you won't have trouble making a few more.
264  important reasons why <A HREF="/philosophy/pragmatic.html"> it is  </p>
265  better to use copyleft</A>, but if your program is non-copylefted free  
266  software, we can still use it.  <p>
267    Rules that &ldquo;if you make your version available in this way, you
268  <P>  must make it available in that way also&rdquo; can be acceptable too,
269  See <A HREF="/philosophy/categories.html">Categories of Free Software  on the same condition.  An example of such an acceptable rule is one
270         (18k characters)</A>  saying that if you have distributed a
271  for a description of how ``free software,'' ``copylefted software'' and  modified version and a previous developer asks for a copy of it, you
272  other categories of software relate to each other.  must send one.  (Note that such a rule still leaves you the choice of
273    whether to distribute your version at all.)  Rules that require release
274  <P>  of source code to the users for versions that you put into public use
275  Sometimes government <A NAME="exportcontrol">export control  are also acceptable.
276  regulations</A> and trade sanctions can constrain your freedom to  </p>
277  distribute copies of programs internationally.  Software developers do  
278  not have the power to eliminate or override these restrictions, but  <p>
279  what they can and must do is refuse to impose them as conditions of  A special issue arises when a license requires changing the name by
280  use of the program.  In this way, the restrictions will not affect  which the program will be invoked from other programs.  That
281  activities and people outside the jurisdictions of these governments.  effectively hampers you from releasing your changed version so that it
282    can replace the original when invoked by those other programs.  This
283  <P>  sort of requirement is acceptable only if there's a suitable aliasing
284  When talking about free software, it is best to avoid using terms like  facility that allows you to specify the original program's name as an
285  ``give away'' or ``for free'', because those terms imply that the  alias for the modified version.</p>
286  issue is about price, not freedom.  Some common terms such as  
287  ``piracy'' embody opinions we hope you won't endorse.  See <A  <h4>Export regulations</h4>
288  HREF="/philosophy/words-to-avoid.html">Confusing Words and Phrases  
289  that are Worth Avoiding</A> for a discussion of these terms.  <p>
290  We also have a list of <A HREF="/philosophy/fs-translations.html">translations  Sometimes government <a id="exportcontrol">export control regulations</a>
291  of "free software"</A> into various languages.  and trade sanctions can constrain your freedom to distribute copies of
292    programs internationally.  Software developers do not have the power to
293    eliminate or override these restrictions, but what they can and must do
294    is refuse to impose them as conditions of use of the program.  In this
295    way, the restrictions will not affect activities and people outside the
296    jurisdictions of these governments.  Thus, free software licenses
297    must not require obedience to any nontrivial export regulations as a
298    condition of exercising any of the essential freedoms.
299    </p>
300    
301    <p>
302    Merely mentioning the existence of export regulations, without making
303    them a condition of the license itself, is acceptable since it does
304    not restrict users.  If an export regulation is actually trivial for
305    free software, then requiring it as a condition is not an actual
306    problem; however, it is a potential problem, since a later change in
307    export law could make the requirement nontrivial and thus render the
308    software nonfree.
309    </p>
310    
311    <h4>Legal considerations</h4>
312    
313    <p>
314    In order for these freedoms to be real, they must be permanent and
315    irrevocable as long as you do nothing wrong; if the developer of the
316    software has the power to revoke the license, or retroactively add
317    restrictions to its terms, without your doing anything wrong to give
318    cause, the software is not free.
319    </p>
320    
321    <p>
322    A free license may not require compliance with the license of a
323    nonfree program.  Thus, for instance, if a license requires you to
324    comply with the licenses of &ldquo;all the programs you use&rdquo;, in
325    the case of a user that runs nonfree programs this would require
326    compliance with the licenses of those nonfree programs; that makes the
327    license nonfree.
328    </p>
329    
330    <p>
331    It is acceptable for a free license to specify which jurisdiction's
332    law applies, or where litigation must be done, or both.
333    </p>
334    
335    <h4>Contract-based licenses</h4>
336    
337    <p>
338    Most free software licenses are based on copyright, and there are limits
339    on what kinds of requirements can be imposed through copyright.  If a
340    copyright-based license respects freedom in the ways described above, it
341    is unlikely to have some other sort of problem that we never anticipated
342    (though this does happen occasionally).  However, some free software
343    licenses are based on contracts, and contracts can impose a much larger
344    range of possible restrictions.  That means there are many possible ways
345    such a license could be unacceptably restrictive and nonfree.
346    </p>
347    
348    <p>
349    We can't possibly list all the ways that might happen.  If a
350    contract-based license restricts the user in an unusual way that
351    copyright-based licenses cannot, and which isn't mentioned here as
352    legitimate, we will have to think about it, and we will probably conclude
353    it is nonfree.
354    </p>
355    
356    <h4>Use the right words when talking about free software</h4>
357    
358    <p>
359    When talking about free software, it is best to avoid using terms
360    like &ldquo;give away&rdquo; or &ldquo;for free,&rdquo; because those terms imply that
361    the issue is about price, not freedom.  Some common terms such
362    as &ldquo;piracy&rdquo; embody opinions we hope you won't endorse.  See
363    <a href="/philosophy/words-to-avoid.html">Confusing Words and Phrases that
364    are Worth Avoiding</a> for a discussion of these terms.  We also have
365    a list of proper <a href="/philosophy/fs-translations.html">translations of
366    &ldquo;free software&rdquo;</a> into various languages.
367    </p>
368    
369  <P>  <h4>How we interpret these criteria</h4>
370    
371    <p>
372  Finally, note that criteria such as those stated in this free software  Finally, note that criteria such as those stated in this free software
373  definition require careful thought for their interpretation.  To  definition require careful thought for their interpretation.  To decide
374  decide whether a specific software license qualifies as a free  whether a specific software license qualifies as a free software license,
375  software license, we judge it based on these criteria to determine  we judge it based on these criteria to determine whether it fits their
376  whether it fits their spirit as well as the precise words.  If a  spirit as well as the precise words.  If a license includes unconscionable
377  license includes unconscionable restrictions, we reject it, even if we  restrictions, we reject it, even if we did not anticipate the issue
378  did not anticipate the issue in these criteria.  Sometimes a license  in these criteria.  Sometimes a license requirement raises an issue
379  requirement raises an issue that calls for extensive thought,  that calls for extensive thought, including discussions with a lawyer,
380  including discussions with a lawyer, before we can decide if the  before we can decide if the requirement is acceptable.  When we reach
381  requirement is acceptable.  When we reach a conclusion about a new  a conclusion about a new issue, we often update these criteria to make
382  issue, we often update these criteria to make it easier to see why  it easier to see why certain licenses do or don't qualify.
383  certain licenses do or don't qualify.  </p>
384    
385  <P>  <h4>Get help with free licenses</h4>
386    
387  If you are interested in whether a specific license qualifies as a  <p>
388  free software license, see our <A  If you are interested in whether a specific license qualifies as a free
389  HREF="/licenses/license-list.html">list of licenses</A>.  If the  software license, see our <a href="/licenses/license-list.html">list
390  license you are concerned with is not listed there, you can ask us  of licenses</a>.  If the license you are concerned with is not
391  about it by sending us email at <A  listed there, you can ask us about it by sending us email at
392  HREF="mailto:licensing@gnu.org">&lt;licensing@gnu.org&gt;</A>.  <a href="mailto:licensing@gnu.org">&lt;licensing@gnu.org&gt;</a>.
393    </p>
394  <HR>  
395    <p>
396  <H4><A HREF="/philosophy/philosophy.html">Other Texts to Read</A></H4>  If you are contemplating writing a new license, please contact the
397    Free Software Foundation first by writing to that address. The
398  <P>  proliferation of different free software licenses means increased work
399  Another group has started using the term "open source" to mean  for users in understanding the licenses; we may be able to help you
400  something close (but not identical) to "free software".  We prefer the  find an existing free software license that meets your needs.
401  term "free software" because, once you have heard it refers to freedom  </p>
402  rather than price, <A HREF="free-software-for-freedom.html">it calls  
403  to mind freedom</A>.  <p>
404    If that isn't possible, if you really need a new license, with our
405  <HR>  help you can ensure that the license really is a free software license
406  [  and avoid various practical problems.
407  <!-- Please keep this list alphabetical -->  </p>
408  <!-- PLEASE UPDATE THE LIST AT THE BOTTOM (OR TOP) OF THE PAGE TOO! -->  
409    <A HREF="/philosophy/free-sw.hr.html">Croatian</A>  <h3 id="beyond-software">Beyond Software</h3>
410  | <A HREF="/philosophy/free-sw.nl.html">Dutch</A>  
411  | <A HREF="/philosophy/free-sw.html">English</A>  <p>
412  | <A HREF="/philosophy/free-sw.fr.html">French</A>  <a href="/philosophy/free-doc.html">Software manuals must be free</a>,
413  | <A HREF="/philosophy/free-sw.gl.html">Galician</A>  for the same reasons that software must be free, and because the
414  | <A HREF="/philosophy/free-sw.hu.html">Hungarian</A>  manuals are in effect part of the software.
415  | <A HREF="/philosophy/free-sw.id.html">Indonesian</A>  </p>
416  | <A HREF="/philosophy/free-sw.it.html">Italian</A>  
417  | <A HREF="/philosophy/free-sw.ja.html">Japanese</A>  <p>
418  | <A HREF="/philosophy/free-sw.ko.html">Korean</A>  The same arguments also make sense for other kinds of works of
419  | <A HREF="/philosophy/free-sw.no.html">Norwegian</A>  practical use &mdash; that is to say, works that embody useful knowledge,
420  | <A HREF="/philosophy/free-sw.pl.html">Polish</A>  such as educational works and reference
421  | <A HREF="/philosophy/free-sw.pt.html">Portuguese</A>  works.  <a href="http://wikipedia.org">Wikipedia</a> is the best-known
422  | <A HREF="/philosophy/free-sw.ru.html">Russian</A>  example.
423  | <A HREF="/philosophy/free-sw.sl.html">Slovenian</A>        </p>
424  | <A HREF="/philosophy/free-sw.es.html">Spanish</A>  
425  | <A HREF="/philosophy/free-sw.tr.html">Turkish</A>  <p>
426  <!-- Please keep this list alphabetical -->  Any kind of work <em>can</em> be free, and the definition of free software
427  <!-- PLEASE UPDATE THE LIST AT THE BOTTOM (OR TOP) OF THE PAGE TOO! -->  has been extended to a definition of <a href="http://freedomdefined.org/">
428  ]  free cultural works</a> applicable to any kind of works.
429  <P>  </p>
430  Return to <A HREF="/home.html">GNU's home page</A>.  
431  <P>  <h3 id="open-source">Open Source?</h3>
432    
433  Please send FSF &amp; GNU inquiries &amp; questions to  <p>
434    Another group uses the term &ldquo;open source&rdquo; to mean
435  <A HREF="mailto:gnu@gnu.org"><EM>gnu@gnu.org</EM></A>.  something close (but not identical) to &ldquo;free software&rdquo;.  We
436  There are also <A HREF="/home.html#ContactInfo">other ways to  prefer the term &ldquo;free software&rdquo; because, once you have heard that
437  contact</A> the FSF.  it refers to freedom rather than price, it calls to mind freedom.  The
438  <P>  word &ldquo;open&rdquo; <a href="/philosophy/open-source-misses-the-point.html">
439    never refers to freedom</a>.
440  Please send comments on these web pages to  </p>
441    </div>
442  <A HREF="mailto:webmasters@gnu.org"><EM>webmasters@gnu.org</EM></A>,  
443  send other questions to  <h3 id="History">History</h3>
444  <A HREF="mailto:gnu@gnu.org"><EM>gnu@gnu.org</EM></A>.  
445  <P>  <p>From time to time we revise this Free Software Definition.  Here is
446  Copyright (C) 1996, 1997, 1998, 1999, 2000, 2001 Free Software Foundation, Inc.,  the list of substantive changes, along with links to show exactly what
447  59 Temple Place - Suite 330, Boston, MA  02111,  USA  was changed.</p>
448  <P>  
449  Verbatim copying and distribution of this entire article is  <ul>
450  permitted in any medium, provided this notice is preserved.  
451  <P>  <li><a href="http://web.cvs.savannah.gnu.org/viewvc/www/philosophy/free-sw.html?root=www&amp;r1=1.162&amp;r2=1.163">Version
452  Updated:  1.163</a>: Clarify that the four freedoms apply to any and all users,
453    and that requiring users to pay to exercise some of these freedoms is
454    a way of denying them.</li>
455    
456    <li><a href="http://web.cvs.savannah.gnu.org/viewvc/www/philosophy/free-sw.html?root=www&amp;r1=1.152&amp;r2=1.153">Version
457    1.153</a>: Clarify that freedom to run the program means nothing stops
458    you from making it run.</li>
459    
460    <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
461    1.141</a>: Clarify which code needs to be free.</li>
462    
463    <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
464    1.135</a>: Say each time that freedom 0 is the freedom to run the program
465    as you wish.</li>
466    
467    <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
468    1.134</a>: Freedom 0 is not a matter of the program's functionality.</li>
469    
470    <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
471    1.131</a>: A free license may not require compliance with a nonfree license
472    of another program.</li>
473    
474    <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
475    1.129</a>: State explicitly that choice of law and choice of forum
476    specifications are allowed.  (This was always our policy.)</li>
477    
478    <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
479    1.122</a>: An export control requirement is a real problem if the
480    requirement is nontrivial; otherwise it is only a potential problem.</li>
481    
482    <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
483    1.118</a>: Clarification: the issue is limits on your right to modify,
484    not on what modifications you have made.  And modifications are not limited
485    to &ldquo;improvements&rdquo;</li>
486    
487    <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
488    1.111</a>: Clarify 1.77 by saying that only
489    retroactive <em>restrictions</em> are unacceptable.  The copyright
490    holders can always grant additional <em>permission</em> for use of the
491    work by releasing the work in another way in parallel.</li>
492    
493    <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
494    1.105</a>: Reflect, in the brief statement of freedom 1, the point
495    (already stated in version 1.80) that it includes really using your modified
496    version for your computing.</li>
497    
498    <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
499    1.92</a>: Clarify that obfuscated code does not qualify as source code.</li>
500    
501    <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
502    1.90</a>: Clarify that freedom 3 means the right to distribute copies
503    of your own modified or improved version, not a right to participate
504    in someone else's development project.</li>
505    
506    <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
507    1.89</a>: Freedom 3 includes the right to release modified versions as
508    free software.</li>
509    
510    <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
511    1.80</a>: Freedom 1 must be practical, not just theoretical;
512    i.e., no tivoization.</li>
513    
514    <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
515    1.77</a>: Clarify that all retroactive changes to the license are
516    unacceptable, even if it's not described as a complete
517    replacement.</li>
518    
519    <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
520    1.74</a>: Four clarifications of points not explicit enough, or stated
521    in some places but not reflected everywhere:
522    <ul>
523    <li>"Improvements" does not mean the license can
524    substantively limit what kinds of modified versions you can release.
525    Freedom 3 includes distributing modified versions, not just changes.</li>
526    <li>The right to merge in existing modules
527    refers to those that are suitably licensed.</li>
528    <li>Explicitly state the conclusion of the point about export controls.</li>
529    <li>Imposing a license change constitutes revoking the old license.</li>
530    </ul>
531    </li>
532    
533    <li><a href="http://web.cvs.savannah.gnu.org/viewvc/www/philosophy/free-sw.html?root=www&amp;r1=1.56&amp;r2=1.57">Version
534    1.57</a>: Add &quot;Beyond Software&quot; section.</li>
535    
536    <li><a href="http://web.cvs.savannah.gnu.org/viewvc/www/philosophy/free-sw.html?root=www&amp;r1=1.45&amp;r2=1.46">Version
537    1.46</a>: Clarify whose purpose is significant in the freedom to run
538    the program for any purpose.</li>
539    
540    <li><a href="http://web.cvs.savannah.gnu.org/viewvc/www/philosophy/free-sw.html?root=www&amp;r1=1.40&amp;r2=1.41">Version
541    1.41</a>: Clarify wording about contract-based licenses.</li>
542    
543    <li><a href="http://web.cvs.savannah.gnu.org/viewvc/www/philosophy/free-sw.html?root=www&amp;r1=1.39&amp;r2=1.40">Version
544    1.40</a>: Explain that a free license must allow to you use other
545    available free software to create your modifications.</li>
546    
547    <li><a href="http://web.cvs.savannah.gnu.org/viewvc/www/philosophy/free-sw.html?root=www&amp;r1=1.38&amp;r2=1.39">Version
548    1.39</a>: Note that it is acceptable for a license to require you to
549    provide source for versions of the software you put into public
550    use.</li>
551    
552    <li><a href="http://web.cvs.savannah.gnu.org/viewvc/www/philosophy/free-sw.html?root=www&amp;r1=1.30&amp;r2=1.31">Version
553    1.31</a>: Note that it is acceptable for a license to require you to
554    identify yourself as the author of modifications.  Other minor
555    clarifications throughout the text.</li>
556    
557    <li><a href="http://web.cvs.savannah.gnu.org/viewvc/www/philosophy/free-sw.html?root=www&amp;r1=1.22&amp;r2=1.23">Version
558    1.23</a>: Address potential problems related to contract-based
559    licenses.</li>
560    
561    <li><a href="http://web.cvs.savannah.gnu.org/viewvc/www/philosophy/free-sw.html?root=www&amp;r1=1.15&amp;r2=1.16">Version
562    1.16</a>: Explain why distribution of binaries is important.</li>
563    
564    <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
565    1.11</a>: Note that a free license may require you to send a copy of
566    versions you distribute to previous developers on request.</li>
567    
568    </ul>
569    
570    <p>There are gaps in the version numbers shown above because there are
571    other changes in this page that do not affect the definition or its
572    interpretations.  For instance, the list does not include changes in
573    asides, formatting, spelling, punctuation, or other parts of the page.
574    You can review the complete list of changes to the page through
575    the <a href="http://web.cvs.savannah.gnu.org/viewvc/www/philosophy/free-sw.html?root=www&amp;view=log">cvsweb
576    interface</a>.</p>
577    
578    <h3 style="font-size:1em">Footnote</h3>
579    <ol>
580    <li id="f1">The reason they are numbered 0, 1, 2 and 3 is historical. Around
581    1990 there were three freedoms, numbered 1, 2 and 3. Then we realized that
582    the freedom to run the program needed to be mentioned explicitly.
583    It was clearly more basic than the other three, so it properly should
584    precede them. Rather than renumber the others, we made it freedom&nbsp;0.</li>
585    </ol>
586    
587    </div><!-- for id="content", starts in the include above -->
588    <!--#include virtual="/server/footer.html" -->
589    <div id="footer">
590    <div class="unprintable">
591    
592    <p>Please send general FSF &amp; GNU inquiries to
593    <a href="mailto:gnu@gnu.org">&lt;gnu@gnu.org&gt;</a>.
594    There are also <a href="/contact/">other ways to contact</a>
595    the FSF.  Broken links and other corrections or suggestions can be sent
596    to <a href="mailto:webmasters@gnu.org">&lt;webmasters@gnu.org&gt;</a>.</p>
597    
598    <p><!-- TRANSLATORS: Ignore the original text in this paragraph,
599            replace it with the translation of these two:
600    
601            We work hard and do our best to provide accurate, good quality
602            translations.  However, we are not exempt from imperfection.
603            Please send your comments and general suggestions in this regard
604            to <a href="mailto:web-translators@gnu.org">
605            &lt;web-translators@gnu.org&gt;</a>.</p>
606    
607            <p>For information on coordinating and submitting translations of
608            our web pages, see <a
609            href="/server/standards/README.translations.html">Translations
610            README</a>. -->
611    Please see the <a
612    href="/server/standards/README.translations.html">Translations
613    README</a> for information on coordinating and submitting translations
614    of this article.</p>
615    </div>
616    
617    <!-- Regarding copyright, in general, standalone pages (as opposed to
618         files generated as part of manuals) on the GNU web server should
619         be under CC BY-ND 4.0.  Please do NOT change or remove this
620         without talking with the webmasters or licensing team first.
621         Please make sure the copyright date is consistent with the
622         document.  For web pages, it is ok to list just the latest year the
623         document was modified, or published.
624        
625         If you wish to list earlier years, that is ok too.
626         Either "2001, 2002, 2003" or "2001-2003" are ok for specifying
627         years, as long as each year in the range is in fact a copyrightable
628         year, i.e., a year in which the document was published (including
629         being publicly visible on the web or in a revision control system).
630        
631         There is more detail about copyright years in the GNU Maintainers
632         Information document, www.gnu.org/prep/maintain. -->
633    
634    <p>Copyright &copy; 1996, 2002, 2004-2007, 2009-2019
635    Free Software Foundation, Inc.</p>
636    
637    <p>This page is licensed under a <a rel="license"
638    href="http://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-nd/4.0/">Creative
639    Commons Attribution-NoDerivatives 4.0 International License</a>.</p>
640    
641    <!--#include virtual="/server/bottom-notes.html" -->
642    
643    <p class="unprintable">Updated:
644  <!-- timestamp start -->  <!-- timestamp start -->
645  $Date$ $Author$  $Date$
646  <!-- timestamp end -->  <!-- timestamp end -->
647  <HR>  </p>
648  </BODY>  </div>
649  </HTML>  </div><!-- for class="inner", starts in the banner include -->
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651    </html>
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