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3  <title>The Free Software Definition - GNU Project - Free Software Foundation (FSF)</title>  <title>What is free software?
4    - GNU Project - Free Software Foundation</title>
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16    
17  <h2>The Free Software Definition</h2>  <h2>What is free software?</h2>
18    
19  <p>  <div class="article">
20  We maintain this free software definition to show clearly what must be  <h3>The Free Software Definition</h3>
21  true about a particular software program for it to be considered free  
22  software.  From time to time we revise this definition to clarify it.  <blockquote class="note" id="fsf-licensing"><p style="font-size: 80%">
23  If you would like to review the changes we've made, please see  Have a question about free software licensing not answered here?
24  the <a href="#History">History section</a> below for more information.  See our other <a href="http://www.fsf.org/licensing">licensing resources</a>,
25    and if necessary contact the FSF Compliance Lab
26    at <a href="mailto:licensing@fsf.org">licensing@fsf.org</a>.</p>
27    </blockquote>
28    
29    <div class="comment">
30    <p>
31    The free software definition presents the criteria for whether a
32    particular software program qualifies as free software.  From time to
33    time we revise this definition, to clarify it or to resolve questions
34    about subtle issues.  See the <a href="#History">History section</a>
35    below for a list of changes that affect the definition of free
36    software.
37  </p>  </p>
38    
39  <p>  <p>
40  &ldquo;Free software&rdquo; is a matter of liberty, not price.  To understand  &ldquo;Open source&rdquo; is something different: it has a very
41  the concept, you should think of &ldquo;free&rdquo; as in &ldquo;free speech,&rdquo;  different philosophy based on different values.  Its practical
42  not as in &ldquo;free beer.&rdquo;  definition is different too, but nearly all open source programs are
43    in fact free.  We explain the
44    difference in <a href="/philosophy/open-source-misses-the-point.html">
45    Why &ldquo;Open Source&rdquo; misses the point of Free Software</a>.
46  </p>  </p>
47    </div>
48    
49  <p>  <p>
50  Free software is a matter of the users' freedom to run, copy, distribute,  &ldquo;Free software&rdquo; means software that respects users'
51  study, change and improve the software.  More precisely, it means that the  freedom and community.  Roughly, it means that <b>the users have the
52  program's users have the four essential freedoms:  freedom to run, copy, distribute, study, change and improve the
53    software</b>.  Thus, &ldquo;free software&rdquo; is a matter of
54    liberty, not price.  To understand the concept, you should think of
55    &ldquo;free&rdquo; as in &ldquo;free speech,&rdquo; not as in
56    &ldquo;free beer&rdquo;.  We sometimes call it &ldquo;libre
57    software,&rdquo; borrowing the French or Spanish word for
58    &ldquo;free&rdquo; as in freedom, to show we do not mean the software
59    is gratis.
60  </p>  </p>
61    
62  <ul>  <p>
63    <li>The freedom to run the program, for any purpose (freedom 0).</li>  We campaign for these freedoms because everyone deserves them.  With
64    <li>The freedom to study how the program works, and change it to make  these freedoms, the users (both individually and collectively) control
65        it do what you wish (freedom 1). Access to the source code is a  the program and what it does for them.  When users don't control the
66        precondition for this.  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>    </li>
87    <li>The freedom to redistribute copies so you can help your neighbor    <li>The freedom to redistribute copies so you can help others
88        (freedom 2).        (freedom 2).
89    </li>    </li>
90    <li>The freedom to distribute copies of your modified versions    <li>The freedom to distribute copies of your modified versions
# Line 48  program's users have the four essential Line 95  program's users have the four essential
95  </ul>  </ul>
96    
97  <p>  <p>
98  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
99  you should be free to redistribute copies, either with or without  freedoms.  Otherwise, it is nonfree.  While we can distinguish various
100  modifications, either gratis or charging a fee for distribution, to  nonfree distribution schemes in terms of how far they fall short of
101  <a href="#exportcontrol">anyone anywhere</a>.  Being free to do these  being free, we consider them all equally unethical.</p>
102  things means (among other things) that you do not have to ask or pay  
103  for permission to do so.  <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>  </p>
121    
122  <p>  <p>
123  You should also have the freedom to make modifications and use them  A free program must offer the four freedoms to any user that obtains a
124  privately in your own work or play, without even mentioning that they  copy of the software, provided the user has complied thus far with the
125  exist.  If you do publish your changes, you should not be required to  conditions of the free license covering the software.  Putting some of
126  notify anyone in particular, or in any particular way.  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>  </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>  <p>
137  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
138  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 145  for her purposes, but you are not entitl
145  </p>  </p>
146    
147  <p>  <p>
148  The freedom to redistribute copies must include binary or executable  The freedom to run the program as you wish means that you are not
149  forms of the program, as well as source code, for both modified and  forbidden or stopped from making it run.  This has nothing to do with what
150  unmodified versions.  (Distributing programs in runnable form is necessary  functionality the program has, whether it is technically capable of
151  for conveniently installable free operating systems.)  It is OK if there  functioning in any given environment, or whether it is useful for any
152  is no way to produce a binary or executable form for a certain program  particular computing activity.</p>
153  (since some languages don't support that feature), but you must have the  
154  freedom to redistribute such forms should you find or develop a way to  <h4>The freedom to study the source code and make changes</h4>
 make them.  
 </p>  
155    
156  <p>  <p>
157  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
158  freedom to publish improved versions) to be meaningful, you must have  freedom to publish the changed versions) to be meaningful, you must have
159  access to the source code of the program.  Therefore, accessibility of  access to the source code of the program.  Therefore, accessibility of
160  source code is a necessary condition for free software.  Obfuscated  source code is a necessary condition for free software.  Obfuscated
161  &ldquo;source code&rdquo; is not real source code and does not count  &ldquo;source code&rdquo; is not real source code and does not count
# Line 97  as source code. Line 165  as source code.
165  <p>  <p>
166  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
167  the original.  If the program is delivered in a product designed to  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;  run someone else's modified versions but refuse to run yours &mdash; a
169  a practice known as &ldquo;tivoization&rdquo; or (in its practitioners'  practice known as &ldquo;tivoization&rdquo; or &ldquo;lockdown&rdquo;,
170  perverse terminology) as &ldquo;secure boot&rdquo; &mdash; freedom 1 becomes a  or (in its practitioners' perverse terminology) as &ldquo;secure
171  theoretical fiction rather than a practical freedom.  This is not  boot&rdquo; &mdash; freedom 1 becomes an empty pretense rather than a
172  sufficient.  In other words, these binaries are not free software  practical reality.  These binaries are not free
173  even if the source code they are compiled from is free.  software even if the source code they are compiled from is free.
174  </p>  </p>
175    
176  <p>  <p>
# Line 114  license is too restrictive to qualify as Line 182  license is too restrictive to qualify as
182  </p>  </p>
183    
184  <p>  <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>
201    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
203    exist.  If you do publish your changes, you should not be required to
204    notify anyone in particular, or in any particular way.
205    </p>
206    
207    <p>
208  Freedom 3 includes the freedom to release your modified versions  Freedom 3 includes the freedom to release your modified versions
209  as free software.  A free license may also permit other ways of  as free software.  A free license may also permit other ways of
210  releasing them; in other words, it does not have to be  releasing them; in other words, it does not have to be
# Line 123  as a free license. Line 214  as a free license.
214  </p>  </p>
215    
216  <p>  <p>
217  In order for these freedoms to be real, they must be permanent and  The freedom to redistribute copies must include binary or executable
218  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
219  software has the power to revoke the license, or retroactively change  unmodified versions.  (Distributing programs in runnable form is necessary
220  its terms, without your doing anything wrong to give cause, the  for conveniently installable free operating systems.)  It is OK if there
221  software is not free.  is no way to produce a binary or executable form for a certain program
222    (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    make them.
225  </p>  </p>
226    
227    <h4>Copyleft</h4>
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    
239  <p>  <p>
240  &ldquo;Free software&rdquo; does not mean &ldquo;noncommercial.&rdquo;  A free  In the GNU project, we use copyleft to protect the four freedoms
241  program must be available for commercial use, commercial development,  legally for everyone.  We believe there are important reasons why
242  and commercial distribution.  Commercial development of free software  <a href="/philosophy/pragmatic.html">it is better to use
243  is no longer unusual; such free commercial software is very important.  copyleft</a>.  However,
244  You may have paid money to get copies of free software, or you may have  <a href="/philosophy/categories.html#Non-CopyleftedFreeSoftware">
245  obtained copies at no charge.  But regardless of how you got your copies,  noncopylefted free software</a> is ethical
246  you always have the freedom to copy and change the software, even to  too.  See <a href="/philosophy/categories.html">Categories of Free
247  <a href="/philosophy/selling.html">sell copies</a>.  Software</a> for a description of how &ldquo;free software,&rdquo;
248    &ldquo;copylefted software&rdquo; and other categories of software
249    relate to each other.
250  </p>  </p>
251    
252  <p>  <h4>Rules about packaging and distribution details</h4>
 Whether a change constitutes an improvement is a subjective matter.  
 If your modifications are limited, in substance, to changes that  
 someone else considers an improvement, that is not freedom.  
 </p>  
253    
254  <p>  <p>
255  However, rules about how to package a modified version are acceptable,  Rules about how to package a modified version are acceptable,
256  if they don't substantively limit your freedom to release modified  if they don't substantively limit your freedom to release modified
257  versions, or your freedom to make and use modified versions privately.  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  Thus, it is acceptable for the license to require that you change the
# Line 181  are also acceptable. Line 276  are also acceptable.
276  </p>  </p>
277    
278  <p>  <p>
279  In the GNU project, we use  A special issue arises when a license requires changing the name by
280  <a href="/copyleft/copyleft.html">copyleft</a>  which the program will be invoked from other programs.  That
281  to protect these freedoms legally for everyone.  But  effectively hampers you from releasing your changed version so that it
282  <a href="/philosophy/categories.html#Non-CopyleftedFreeSoftware">noncopylefted  can replace the original when invoked by those other programs.  This
283  free software</a> also exists.  We believe there are important reasons why  sort of requirement is acceptable only if there's a suitable aliasing
284  <a href="/philosophy/pragmatic.html">it is better to use copyleft</a>,  facility that allows you to specify the original program's name as an
285  but if your program is noncopylefted free software, it is still basically  alias for the modified version.</p>
286  ethical. (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.)  
287  </p>  <h4>Export regulations</h4>
288    
289  <p>  <p>
290  Sometimes government <a id="exportcontrol">export control regulations</a>  Sometimes government <a id="exportcontrol">export control regulations</a>
# Line 199  eliminate or override these restrictions Line 294  eliminate or override these restrictions
294  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
295  way, the restrictions will not affect activities and people outside the  way, the restrictions will not affect activities and people outside the
296  jurisdictions of these governments.  Thus, free software licenses  jurisdictions of these governments.  Thus, free software licenses
297  must not require obedience to any export regulations as a condition of  must not require obedience to any nontrivial export regulations as a
298  any of the essential freedoms.  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>  </p>
320    
321  <p>  <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  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  on what kinds of requirements can be imposed through copyright.  If a
340  copyright-based license respects freedom in the ways described above, it  copyright-based license respects freedom in the ways described above, it
# Line 222  legitimate, we will have to think about Line 353  legitimate, we will have to think about
353  it is nonfree.  it is nonfree.
354  </p>  </p>
355    
356    <h4>Use the right words when talking about free software</h4>
357    
358  <p>  <p>
359  When talking about free software, it is best to avoid using terms  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  like &ldquo;give away&rdquo; or &ldquo;for free,&rdquo; because those terms imply that
# Line 233  a list of proper <a href="/philosophy/fs Line 366  a list of proper <a href="/philosophy/fs
366  &ldquo;free software&rdquo;</a> into various languages.  &ldquo;free software&rdquo;</a> into various languages.
367  </p>  </p>
368    
369    <h4>How we interpret these criteria</h4>
370    
371  <p>  <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 decide  definition require careful thought for their interpretation.  To decide
# Line 247  a conclusion about a new issue, we often Line 382  a conclusion about a new issue, we often
382  it easier to see why certain licenses do or don't qualify.  it easier to see why certain licenses do or don't qualify.
383  </p>  </p>
384    
385    <h4>Get help with free licenses</h4>
386    
387  <p>  <p>
388  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
389  software license, see our <a href="/licenses/license-list.html">list  software license, see our <a href="/licenses/license-list.html">list
# Line 269  help you can ensure that the license rea Line 406  help you can ensure that the license rea
406  and avoid various practical problems.  and avoid various practical problems.
407  </p>  </p>
408    
409  <h2 id="beyond-software">Beyond Software</h2>  <h3 id="beyond-software">Beyond Software</h3>
410    
411  <p>  <p>
412  <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 291  has been extended to a definition of <a Line 428  has been extended to a definition of <a
428  free cultural works</a> applicable to any kind of works.  free cultural works</a> applicable to any kind of works.
429  </p>  </p>
430    
431  <h2 id="open-source">Open Source?</h2>  <h3 id="open-source">Open Source?</h3>
432    
433  <p>  <p>
434  Another group has started using the term &ldquo;open source&rdquo; to mean  Another group uses the term &ldquo;open source&rdquo; to mean
435  something close (but not identical) to &ldquo;free software.&rdquo;  We  something close (but not identical) to &ldquo;free software&rdquo;.  We
436  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
437  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
438  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">
439  never refers to freedom</a>.  never refers to freedom</a>.
440  </p>  </p>
441    </div>
442    
443  <h2 id="History">History</h2>  <h3 id="History">History</h3>
444    
445  <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
446  clarify it.  Here we provide a list of those modifications, along with  the list of substantive changes, along with links to show exactly what
447  links to illustrate exactly what changed, so that others can review  was changed.</p>
 them if they like.</p>  
448    
449  <ul>  <ul>
450    
451    <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    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  <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>  1.92</a>: Clarify that obfuscated code does not qualify as source code.</li>
500    
# Line 379  licenses.</li> Line 563  licenses.</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  <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  1.11</a>: Note that a free license may require you to send a copy of
566  versions you distribute to the author.</li>  versions you distribute to previous developers on request.</li>
567    
568  </ul>  </ul>
569    
570  <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
571  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
572  Instead, they fix links, add translations, and so on.  If you would  interpretations.  For instance, the list does not include changes in
573  like to review the complete list of changes, you can do so on  asides, formatting, spelling, punctuation, or other parts of the page.
574  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
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>  interface</a>.</p>
577    
578  </div>  <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" -->  <!--#include virtual="/server/footer.html" -->
   
589  <div id="footer">  <div id="footer">
590    <div class="unprintable">
591    
592  <p>  <p>Please send general FSF &amp; GNU inquiries to
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593  <a href="mailto:gnu@gnu.org">&lt;gnu@gnu.org&gt;</a>.  <a href="mailto:gnu@gnu.org">&lt;gnu@gnu.org&gt;</a>.
594  There are also <a href="/contact/">other ways to contact</a>  There are also <a href="/contact/">other ways to contact</a>
595  the FSF.  the FSF.  Broken links and other corrections or suggestions can be sent
596  <br />  to <a href="mailto:webmasters@gnu.org">&lt;webmasters@gnu.org&gt;</a>.</p>
597  Please send broken links and other corrections or suggestions to  
598  <a href="mailto:webmasters@gnu.org">&lt;webmasters@gnu.org&gt;</a>.  <p><!-- TRANSLATORS: Ignore the original text in this paragraph,
599  </p>          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  <p>  <!-- Regarding copyright, in general, standalone pages (as opposed to
618  Please see the       files generated as part of manuals) on the GNU web server should
619  <a href="/server/standards/README.translations.html">Translations       be under CC BY-ND 4.0.  Please do NOT change or remove this
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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
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629         being publicly visible on the web or in a revision control system).
630        
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633    
634    <p>Copyright &copy; 1996, 2002, 2004-2007, 2009-2018
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  <p>  <!--#include virtual="/server/bottom-notes.html" -->
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642    
643  <p>  <p class="unprintable">Updated:
 Updated:  
644  <!-- timestamp start -->  <!-- timestamp start -->
645  $Date$  $Date$
646  <!-- timestamp end -->  <!-- timestamp end -->
647  </p>  </p>
648  </div>  </div>
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