29 |
software</b>. Thus, “free software” is a matter of |
software</b>. Thus, “free software” is a matter of |
30 |
liberty, not price. To understand the concept, you should think of |
liberty, not price. To understand the concept, you should think of |
31 |
“free” as in “free speech,” not as in |
“free” as in “free speech,” not as in |
32 |
“free beer”. We sometimes call it “libre |
“free beer.” We sometimes call it “libre |
33 |
software,” borrowing the French or Spanish word for |
software,” borrowing the French or Spanish word for |
34 |
“free” as in freedom, to show we do not mean the software |
“free” as in freedom, to show we do not mean the software |
35 |
is gratis. |
is gratis. |
164 |
<h4 id="selling">Free software <em>can</em> be commercial</h4> |
<h4 id="selling">Free software <em>can</em> be commercial</h4> |
165 |
|
|
166 |
<p> |
<p> |
167 |
“Free software” does not mean “noncommercial”. |
“Free software” does not mean “noncommercial.” |
168 |
On the contrary, a free program must be available for commercial use, |
On the contrary, a free program must be available for commercial use, |
169 |
commercial development, and commercial distribution. This policy is |
commercial development, and commercial distribution. This policy is |
170 |
of fundamental importance—without this, free software could not |
of fundamental importance—without this, free software could not |
254 |
<p> |
<p> |
255 |
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 |
256 |
the original. If the program is delivered in a product designed to |
the original. If the program is delivered in a product designed to |
257 |
run someone else's modified versions but refuse to run yours — a |
run someone else's modified versions but refuse to run yours—a |
258 |
practice known as “tivoization” or “lockdown”, |
practice known as “tivoization” or “lockdown,” |
259 |
or (in its practitioners' perverse terminology) as “secure |
or (in its practitioners' perverse terminology) as “secure |
260 |
boot” — freedom 1 becomes an empty pretense rather than a |
boot”—freedom 1 becomes an empty pretense rather than a |
261 |
practical reality. These binaries are not free |
practical reality. These binaries are not free |
262 |
software even if the source code they are compiled from is free. |
software even if the source code they are compiled from is free. |
263 |
</p> |
</p> |
265 |
<p> |
<p> |
266 |
One important way to modify a program is by merging in available free |
One important way to modify a program is by merging in available free |
267 |
subroutines and modules. If the program's license says that you |
subroutines and modules. If the program's license says that you |
268 |
cannot merge in a suitably licensed existing module — for instance, if it |
cannot merge in a suitably licensed existing module—for instance, if it |
269 |
requires you to be the copyright holder of any code you add — then the |
requires you to be the copyright holder of any code you add—then the |
270 |
license is too restrictive to qualify as free. |
license is too restrictive to qualify as free. |
271 |
</p> |
</p> |
272 |
|
|
417 |
<p> |
<p> |
418 |
A free license may not require compliance with the license of a |
A free license may not require compliance with the license of a |
419 |
nonfree program. Thus, for instance, if a license requires you to |
nonfree program. Thus, for instance, if a license requires you to |
420 |
comply with the licenses of “all the programs you use”, in |
comply with the licenses of “all the programs you use,” in |
421 |
the case of a user that runs nonfree programs this would require |
the case of a user that runs nonfree programs this would require |
422 |
compliance with the licenses of those nonfree programs; that makes the |
compliance with the licenses of those nonfree programs; that makes the |
423 |
license nonfree. |
license nonfree. |
506 |
|
|
507 |
<p id="open-source"> |
<p id="open-source"> |
508 |
Another group uses the term “open source” to mean |
Another group uses the term “open source” to mean |
509 |
something close (but not identical) to “free software”. We |
something close (but not identical) to “free software.” We |
510 |
prefer the term “free software” because, once you have heard that |
prefer the term “free software” because, once you have heard that |
511 |
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 |
512 |
word “open” never refers to freedom. |
word “open” never refers to freedom. |
522 |
|
|
523 |
<p> |
<p> |
524 |
The same arguments also make sense for other kinds of works of |
The same arguments also make sense for other kinds of works of |
525 |
practical use — that is to say, works that embody useful knowledge, |
practical use—that is to say, works that embody useful knowledge, |
526 |
such as educational works and reference |
such as educational works and reference |
527 |
works. <a href="https://wikipedia.org">Wikipedia</a> is the best-known |
works. <a href="https://wikipedia.org">Wikipedia</a> is the best-known |
528 |
example. |
example. |