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-revision 1.173 by th_g,
Wed Feb  3 12:31:45 2021 UTC
+revision 1.174 by th_g,
Fri Jul 16 09:33:53 2021 UTC
 Line 1
  <!--#include virtual="/server/header.html" -->
- <!-- Parent-Version: 1.86 -->
+ <!-- Parent-Version: 1.96 -->
- <title>What is free software?
+ <!-- This page is derived from /server/standards/boilerplate.html -->
+ <!--#set var="TAGS" value="aboutfs" -->
+ <!--#set var="DISABLE_TOP_ADDENDUM" value="yes" -->
+ <title>What is Free Software?
  - GNU Project - Free Software Foundation</title>
  <style type="text/css" media="print,screen"><!--
  .note { margin-left: 6%; margin-right: 6%; }
-Line 10
+Line 13
  --></style>
  <meta http-equiv="Keywords" content="GNU, FSF, Free Software Foundation, Linux, Emacs, GCC, Unix, Free Software, Operating System, GNU Kernel, HURD, GNU HURD, Hurd" />
  <meta http-equiv="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." />
  <!--#include virtual="/philosophy/po/free-sw.translist" -->
  <!--#include virtual="/server/banner.html" -->
+ <!--#include virtual="/philosophy/ph-breadcrumb.html" -->
- <h2>What is free software?</h2>
+ <!--GNUN: OUT-OF-DATE NOTICE-->
+ <!--#include virtual="/server/top-addendum.html" -->
+ <div class="reduced-width">
+ <h2>What is Free Software?</h2>
+ <div class="thin"></div>
  <div class="article">
- <h3>The Free Software Definition</h3>
+ <div class="important">
- <blockquote class="note" id="fsf-licensing"><p style="font-size: 80%">
- Have a question about free software licensing not answered here?
- See our other <a href="http://www.fsf.org/licensing">licensing resources</a>,
- and if necessary contact the FSF Compliance Lab
- at <a href="mailto:licensing@fsf.org">licensing@fsf.org</a>.</p>
- </blockquote>
- <div class="comment">
- <p>
- The free software definition presents the criteria for whether a
- particular software program qualifies as free software.  From time to
- time we revise this definition, to clarify it or to resolve questions
- about subtle issues.  See the <a href="#History">History section</a>
- below for a list of changes that affect the definition of free
- software.
- </p>
- <p>
- &ldquo;Open source&rdquo; is something different: it has a very
- different philosophy based on different values.  Its practical
- definition is different too, but nearly all open source programs are
- in fact free.  We explain the
- difference in <a href="/philosophy/open-source-misses-the-point.html">
- Why &ldquo;Open Source&rdquo; misses the point of Free Software</a>.
- </p>
- </div>
  <p>
  &ldquo;Free software&rdquo; means software that respects users'
  freedom and community.  Roughly, it means that <b>the users have the
-Line 60 
 is gratis.
+Line 38 
 is gratis.
  </p>
  <p>
+ You may have paid money to get copies of a free program, or you may
+ have obtained copies at no charge.  But regardless of how you got your
+ copies, you always have the freedom to copy and change the software,
+ even to <a href="/philosophy/selling.html">sell copies</a>.
+ </p>
+ </div>
+ <p>
  We campaign for these freedoms because everyone deserves them.  With
  these freedoms, the users (both individually and collectively) control
  the program and what it does for them.  When users don't control the
-Line 70 
 program <a href="/philosophy/free-softwa
+Line 56 
 program <a href="/philosophy/free-softwa
  an instrument of unjust power</a>.
  </p>
- <h4> The four essential freedoms</h4>
+ <p>
+ &ldquo;Open source&rdquo; is something different: it has a very
+ different philosophy based on different values.  Its practical
+ definition is different too, but nearly all open source programs are
+ in fact free.  We explain the
+ difference in <a href="/philosophy/open-source-misses-the-point.html">
+ Why &ldquo;Open Source&rdquo; misses the point of Free Software</a>.
+ </p>
+ <div class="toc">
+ <hr class="no-display" />
+ <h3 class="no-display">Table of contents</h3>
+ <ul>
+  <li><a href="#fs-definition">The Free Software Definition</a>
+   <ul>
+    <li><a href="#four-freedoms">The four essential freedoms</a></li>
+    <li><a href="#selling">Free software <em>can</em> be commercial</a></li>
+   </ul>
+  </li>
+  <li><a href="#clarifying">Clarifying the Boundary Between Free and Nonfree</a>
+   <ul>
+    <li><a href="#run-the-program">The freedom to run the program as you
+      wish</a></li>
+    <li><a href="#make-changes">The freedom to study the source code and make
+      changes</a></li>
+    <li><a href="#redistribute">The freedom to redistribute if you wish:
+      basic requirements</a></li>
+    <li><a href="#copyleft">Copyleft</a></li>
+    <li><a href="#packaging">Rules about packaging and distribution
+      details</a></li>
+    <li><a href="#exportcontrol">Export regulations</a></li>
+    <li><a href="#legal-details">Legal considerations</a></li>
+    <li><a href="#contracts">Contract-based licenses</a></li>
+   </ul>
+  </li>
+  <li><a href="#in-practice">The Free Software Definition in Practice</a>
+   <ul>
+    <li><a href="#interpretation">How we interpret these criteria</a></li>
+    <li><a href="#get-help">Get help with free licenses</a></li>
+    <li><a href="#terminology">Use the right words when talking about free
+      software</a></li>
+   </ul>
+  </li>
+  <li><a href="#beyond-software">Beyond Software</a></li>
+  <li><a href="#History">History</a></li>
+ </ul>
+ </div>
+ <div class="edu-note" id="fsf-licensing">
+ <p style="font-size:80%">
+ Have a question about free software licensing not answered here?
+ See our other <a href="http://www.fsf.org/licensing">licensing resources</a>,
+ and if necessary contact the FSF Compliance Lab
+ at <a href="mailto:licensing@fsf.org">licensing@fsf.org</a>.</p>
+ <hr class="no-display" />
+ </div>
+ <h3 id="fs-definition" class="subheader">The Free Software Definition</h3>
  <p>
+ The free software definition presents the criteria for whether a
+ particular software program qualifies as free software.  From time to
+ time we revise this definition, to clarify it or to resolve questions
+ about subtle issues.  See the <a href="#History">History section</a>
+ below for a list of changes that affect the definition of free
+ software.
+ </p>
+ <h4 id="four-freedoms">The four essential freedoms</h4>
+ <p>
  A program is free software if the program's users have the
  four essential freedoms: <a href="#f1">[1]</a>
  </p>
-Line 108 
 implies users will need B, so we need to
+Line 162 
 implies users will need B, so we need to
  are free.  However, if we plan to modify A so that it doesn't use B,
  only A needs to be free; B is not pertinent to that plan.</p>
+ <h4 id="selling">Free software <em>can</em> be commercial</h4>
  <p>
  &ldquo;Free software&rdquo; does not mean &ldquo;noncommercial&rdquo;.
  On the contrary, a free program must be available for commercial use,
-Line 145 
 them, is tantamount to not granting the
+Line 202 
 them, is tantamount to not granting the
  renders the program nonfree.
  </p>
- <p>
- You may have paid money to get copies of a free program, or you may
- have obtained copies at no charge.  But regardless of how you got your
- copies, you always have the freedom to copy and change the software,
- even to <a href="/philosophy/selling.html">sell copies</a>.
- </p>
- <h3>Clarifying the boundary between free and nonfree</h3>
+ <h3 id="clarifying" class="subheader">Clarifying the Boundary Between Free and Nonfree</h3>
  <p>In the rest of this article we explain more precisely how far the
  various freedoms need to extend, on various issues, in order for a
  program to be free.</p>
- <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>
  <p>
  The freedom to run the program means the freedom for any kind of person
-Line 191 
 arbitrary nuisance code.</p>
+Line 242 
 arbitrary nuisance code.</p>
  all&rdquo; if that is what you wish.  So there is no need for a
  separate &ldquo;freedom not to run a program.&rdquo;</p>
- <h4>The freedom to study the source code and make changes</h4>
+ <h4 id="make-changes">The freedom to study the source code and make changes</h4>
  <p>
  In order for freedoms 1 and 3 (the freedom to make changes and the
-Line 233 
 returns after doing nothing, or make it
+Line 284 
 returns after doing nothing, or make it
  Thus, freedom 1 includes the &ldquo;freedom to delete the program.&rdquo;
  </p>
- <h4>The freedom to redistribute if you wish: basic requirements</h4>
+ <h4 id="redistribute">The freedom to redistribute if you wish: basic
+ requirements</h4>
  <p>Freedom to distribute (freedoms 2 and 3) means you are free to
  redistribute copies, either with or without modifications, either
-Line 254 
 notify anyone in particular, or in any p
+Line 306 
 notify anyone in particular, or in any p
  Freedom 3 includes the freedom to release your modified versions
  as free software.  A free license may also permit other ways of
  releasing them; in other words, it does not have to be
- a <a href="/copyleft/copyleft.html">copyleft</a> license.  However, a
+ a <a href="/licenses/copyleft.html">copyleft</a> license.  However, a
  license that requires modified versions to be nonfree does not qualify
  as a free license.
  </p>
-Line 270 
 freedom to redistribute such forms shoul
+Line 322 
 freedom to redistribute such forms shoul
  make them.
  </p>
- <h4>Copyleft</h4>
+ <h4 id="copyleft">Copyleft</h4>
  <p>
  Certain kinds of rules about the manner of distributing free
  software are acceptable, when they don't conflict with the central
- freedoms.  For example, <a href="/copyleft/copyleft.html">copyleft</a>
+ freedoms.  For example, <a href="/licenses/copyleft.html">copyleft</a>
  (very simply stated) is the rule that when redistributing the program,
  you cannot add restrictions to deny other people the central freedoms.
  This rule does not conflict with the central freedoms; rather it
-Line 295 
 Software</a> for a description of how &l
+Line 347 
 Software</a> for a description of how &l
  relate to each other.
  </p>
- <h4>Rules about packaging and distribution details</h4>
+ <h4 id="packaging">Rules about packaging and distribution details</h4>
  <p>
  Rules about how to package a modified version are acceptable,
-Line 330 
 sort of requirement is acceptable only i
+Line 382 
 sort of requirement is acceptable only i
  facility that allows you to specify the original program's name as an
  alias for the modified version.</p>
- <h4>Export regulations</h4>
+ <h4 id="exportcontrol">Export regulations</h4>
  <p>
- Sometimes government <a id="exportcontrol">export control regulations</a>
+ Sometimes government export control regulations
  and trade sanctions can constrain your freedom to distribute copies of
  programs internationally.  Software developers do not have the power to
  eliminate or override these restrictions, but what they can and must do
-Line 354 
 export law could make the requirement no
+Line 406 
 export law could make the requirement no
  software nonfree.
  </p>
- <h4>Legal considerations</h4>
+ <h4 id="legal-details">Legal considerations</h4>
  <p>
  In order for these freedoms to be real, they must be permanent and
-Line 378 
 It is acceptable for a free license to s
+Line 430 
 It is acceptable for a free license to s
  law applies, or where litigation must be done, or both.
  </p>
- <h4>Contract-based licenses</h4>
+ <h4 id="contracts">Contract-based licenses</h4>
  <p>
  Most free software licenses are based on copyright, and there are limits
-Line 399 
 legitimate, we will have to think about
+Line 451 
 legitimate, we will have to think about
  it is nonfree.
  </p>
- <h4>Use the right words when talking about free software</h4>
+ <h3 id="in-practice" class="subheader">The Free Software Definition in Practice</h3>
- <p>
- When talking about free software, it is best to avoid using terms
- like &ldquo;give away&rdquo; or &ldquo;for free,&rdquo; because those terms imply that
- the issue is about price, not freedom.  Some common terms such
- as &ldquo;piracy&rdquo; embody opinions we hope you won't endorse.  See
- <a href="/philosophy/words-to-avoid.html">Confusing Words and Phrases that
- are Worth Avoiding</a> for a discussion of these terms.  We also have
- a list of proper <a href="/philosophy/fs-translations.html">translations of
- &ldquo;free software&rdquo;</a> into various languages.
- </p>
- <h4>How we interpret these criteria</h4>
+ <h4 id="interpretation">How we interpret these criteria</h4>
  <p>
- Finally, note that criteria such as those stated in this free software
+ Note that criteria such as those stated in this free software
  definition require careful thought for their interpretation.  To decide
  whether a specific software license qualifies as a free software license,
  we judge it based on these criteria to determine whether it fits their
-Line 428 
 a conclusion about a new issue, we often
+Line 469 
 a conclusion about a new issue, we often
  it easier to see why certain licenses do or don't qualify.
  </p>
- <h4>Get help with free licenses</h4>
+ <h4 id="get-help">Get help with free licenses</h4>
  <p>
  If you are interested in whether a specific license qualifies as a free
-Line 452 
 help you can ensure that the license rea
+Line 493 
 help you can ensure that the license rea
  and avoid various practical problems.
  </p>
- <h3 id="beyond-software">Beyond Software</h3>
+ <h4 id="terminology">Use the right words when talking about free software</h4>
+ <p>
+ When talking about free software, it is best to avoid using terms
+ like &ldquo;give away&rdquo; or &ldquo;for free,&rdquo; because those terms imply that
+ the issue is about price, not freedom.  Some common terms such
+ as &ldquo;piracy&rdquo; embody opinions we hope you won't endorse.  See
+ <a href="/philosophy/words-to-avoid.html">Confusing Words and Phrases that
+ are Worth Avoiding</a> for a discussion of these terms.  We also have
+ a list of proper <a href="/philosophy/fs-translations.html">translations of
+ &ldquo;free software&rdquo;</a> into various languages.
+ </p>
+ <p id="open-source">
+ Another group uses the term &ldquo;open source&rdquo; to mean
+ something close (but not identical) to &ldquo;free software&rdquo;.  We
+ prefer the term &ldquo;free software&rdquo; because, once you have heard that
+ it refers to freedom rather than price, it calls to mind freedom.  The
+ word &ldquo;open&rdquo; never refers to freedom.
+ </p>
+ <h3 id="beyond-software" class="subheader">Beyond Software</h3>
  <p>
  <a href="/philosophy/free-doc.html">Software manuals must be free</a>,
-Line 464 
 manuals are in effect part of the softwa
+Line 526 
 manuals are in effect part of the softwa
  The same arguments also make sense for other kinds of works of
  practical use &mdash; that is to say, works that embody useful knowledge,
  such as educational works and reference
- works.  <a href="http://wikipedia.org">Wikipedia</a> is the best-known
+ works.  <a href="https://wikipedia.org">Wikipedia</a> is the best-known
  example.
  </p>
-Line 473 
 Any kind of work <em>can</em> be free, a
+Line 535 
 Any kind of work <em>can</em> be free, a
  has been extended to a definition of <a href="http://freedomdefined.org/">
  free cultural works</a> applicable to any kind of works.
  </p>
+ <hr class="column-limit" />
- <h3 id="open-source">Open Source?</h3>
- <p>
- Another group uses the term &ldquo;open source&rdquo; to mean
- something close (but not identical) to &ldquo;free software&rdquo;.  We
- prefer the term &ldquo;free software&rdquo; because, once you have heard that
- it refers to freedom rather than price, it calls to mind freedom.  The
- word &ldquo;open&rdquo; <a href="/philosophy/open-source-misses-the-point.html">
- never refers to freedom</a>.
- </p>
  </div>
  <h3 id="History">History</h3>
-Line 625 
 asides, formatting, spelling, punctuatio
+Line 677 
 asides, formatting, spelling, punctuatio
  You can review the complete list of changes to the page through
  the <a href="http://web.cvs.savannah.gnu.org/viewvc/www/philosophy/free-sw.html?root=www&amp;view=log">cvsweb
  interface</a>.</p>
+ <hr class="column-limit" />
- <h3 style="font-size:1em">Footnote</h3>
+ <h3 class="footnote">Footnote</h3>
  <ol>
  <li id="f1">The reason they are numbered 0, 1, 2 and 3 is historical. Around
 there were three freedoms, numbered 1, 2 and 3. Then we realized that
-Line 634 
 the freedom to run the program needed to
+Line 687 
 the freedom to run the program needed to
  It was clearly more basic than the other three, so it properly should
  precede them. Rather than renumber the others, we made it freedom&nbsp;0.</li>
  </ol>
+ </div>
  </div><!-- for id="content", starts in the include above -->
  <!--#include virtual="/server/footer.html" -->
- <div id="footer">
+ <div id="footer" role="contentinfo">
  <div class="unprintable">
  <p>Please send general FSF &amp; GNU inquiries to
-Line 655 
 to <a href="mailto:webmasters@gnu.org">&
+Line 709 
 to <a href="mailto:webmasters@gnu.org">&
          to <a href="mailto:web-translators@gnu.org">
          &lt;web-translators@gnu.org&gt;</a>.</p>
-         <p>For information on coordinating and submitting translations of
+         <p>For information on coordinating and contributing translations of
          our web pages, see <a
          href="/server/standards/README.translations.html">Translations
          README</a>. -->
  Please see the <a
  href="/server/standards/README.translations.html">Translations
- README</a> for information on coordinating and submitting translations
+ README</a> for information on coordinating and contributing translations
  of this article.</p>
  </div>
-Line 682 
 of this article.</p>
+Line 736 
 of this article.</p>
       There is more detail about copyright years in the GNU Maintainers
       Information document, www.gnu.org/prep/maintain. -->
- <p>Copyright &copy; 1996, 2002, 2004-2007, 2009-2019, 2021
+ <p>Copyright &copy; 1996, 2002, 2004-2007, 2009-2021
  Free Software Foundation, Inc.</p>
  <p>This page is licensed under a <a rel="license"

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