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-revision 1.153 by rms,
Tue Apr  4 07:57:57 2017 UTC
+revision 1.185 by gnun,
Sat May 20 08:56:24 2023 UTC
 Line 1
  <!--#include virtual="/server/header.html" -->
- <!-- Parent-Version: 1.79 -->
+ <!-- Parent-Version: 1.96 -->
- <title>What is free software?
+ <!-- This page is derived from /server/standards/boilerplate.html -->
+ <!--#set var="TAGS" value="essays aboutfs principles" -->
+ <!--#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"><!--
- <meta http-equiv="Keywords" content="GNU, FSF, Free Software Foundation, Linux, Emacs, GCC, Unix, Free Software, Operating System, GNU Kernel, HURD, GNU HURD, Hurd" />
+ .toc > ul > li { list-style-type: none; font-weight: bold; }
- <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." />
+ .toc ul { font-weight: normal; }
+ #History ~ p, #History ~ ul { font-size: 1rem; }
+ --></style>
+ <meta name="keywords" content="GNU, FSF, Free Software Foundation, Linux, Emacs, GCC, Unix, Free Software, Operating System, GNU Kernel, HURD, GNU HURD, Hurd" />
+ <meta name="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" -->
+ <!--GNUN: OUT-OF-DATE NOTICE-->
+ <!--#include virtual="/server/top-addendum.html" -->
+ <div class="article reduced-width">
+ <h2>What is Free Software?</h2>
+ <div class="thin"></div>
- <h2>What is free software?</h2>
+ <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>
- <h3>The Free Software Definition</h3>
- <blockquote>
- <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>
- </blockquote>
  <p>
  &ldquo;Free software&rdquo; means software that respects users'
  freedom and community.  Roughly, it means that <b>the users have the
-Line 38 
 freedom to run, copy, distribute, study,
+Line 29 
 freedom to run, copy, distribute, study,
  software</b>.  Thus, &ldquo;free software&rdquo; is a matter of
  liberty, not price.  To understand the concept, you should think of
  &ldquo;free&rdquo; as in &ldquo;free speech,&rdquo; not as in
- &ldquo;free beer&rdquo;.  We sometimes call it &ldquo;libre
+ &ldquo;free beer.&rdquo;  We sometimes call it &ldquo;libre
  software,&rdquo; borrowing the French or Spanish word for
  &ldquo;free&rdquo; as in freedom, to show we do not mean the software
  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 55 
 program <a href="/philosophy/free-softwa
+Line 54 
 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" role="complementary">
+ <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">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:
+ four essential freedoms: <a href="#f1">[1]</a>
  </p>
- <ul>
+ <ul class="important">
    <li>The freedom to run the program as you wish,
        for any purpose (freedom 0).</li>
    <li>The freedom to study how the program works, and change it so it
        does your computing as you wish (freedom 1). Access to the source
        code is a precondition for this.
    </li>
-   <li>The freedom to redistribute copies so you can help your neighbor
+   <li>The freedom to redistribute copies so you can help others
        (freedom 2).
    </li>
    <li>The freedom to distribute copies of your modified versions
-Line 93 
 implies users will need B, so we need to
+Line 160 
 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,
+ commercial development, and commercial distribution.  This policy is
+ of fundamental importance&mdash;without this, free software could not
+ achieve its aims.
+ </p>
+ <p>
+ We want to invite everyone to use the GNU system, including businesses
+ and their workers.  That requires allowing commercial use.  We hope
+ that free replacement programs will supplant comparable proprietary
+ programs, but they can't do that if businesses are forbidden to use
+ them.  We want commercial products that contain software to include
+ the GNU system, and that would constitute commercial distribution for
+ a price.  Commercial development of free software is no longer
+ unusual; such free commercial software is very important.  Paid,
+ professional support for free software fills an important need.
+ </p>
  <p>
- &ldquo;Free software&rdquo; does not mean &ldquo;noncommercial&rdquo;.  A free
+ Thus, to exclude commercial use, commercial development or commercial
- program must be available for commercial use, commercial development,
+ distribution would hobble the free software community and obstruct its
- and commercial distribution.  Commercial development of free software
+ path to success.  We must conclude that a program licensed with such
- is no longer unusual; such free commercial software is very important.
+ restrictions does not qualify as free software.
- You may have paid money to get copies of free software, 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>
- <p>The rest of this page clarifies certain points about what makes
+ <p>
- specific freedoms adequate or not.</p>
+ A free program must offer the four freedoms to any would-be user that
+ obtains a copy of the software, who has complied thus far with the
+ conditions of the free license covering the software in any previous
+ distribution of it.  Putting some of the freedoms off limits to some
+ users, or requiring that users pay, in money or in kind, to exercise
+ them, is tantamount to not granting the freedoms in question, and thus
+ renders the program nonfree.
+ </p>
+ <h3 id="clarifying">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 116 
 overall job and purpose, without being r
+Line 216 
 overall job and purpose, without being r
  with the developer or any other specific entity.  In this freedom, it is
  the <em>user's</em> purpose that matters, not the <em>developer's</em>
  purpose; you as a user are free to run the program for your purposes,
- and if you distribute it to someone else, she is then free to run it
+ and if you distribute it to other people, they are then free to run it for
- for her purposes, but you are not entitled to impose your purposes on her.
+ their purposes, but you are not entitled to impose your purposes on them.
  </p>
  <p>
-Line 127 
 functionality the program has, whether i
+Line 227 
 functionality the program has, whether i
  functioning in any given environment, or whether it is useful for any
  particular computing activity.</p>
- <h4>The freedom to study the source code and make changes</h4>
+ <p>For example, if the code arbitrarily rejects certain meaningful
+ inputs&mdash;or even fails unconditionally&mdash;that may make the
+ program less useful, perhaps even totally useless, but it does not
+ deny users the freedom to run the program, so it does not conflict
+ with freedom 0.  If the program is free, the users can overcome the
+ loss of usefulness, because freedoms 1 and 3 permit users and
+ communities to make and distribute modified versions without the
+ arbitrary nuisance code.</p>
+ <p>&ldquo;As you wish&rdquo; includes, optionally, &ldquo;not at
+ 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 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
- freedom to publish the changed versions) to be meaningful, you must have
+ freedom to publish the changed versions) to be meaningful, you need to have
  access to the source code of the program.  Therefore, accessibility of
  source code is a necessary condition for free software.  Obfuscated
  &ldquo;source code&rdquo; is not real source code and does not count
-Line 139 
 as source code.
+Line 252 
 as source code.
  </p>
  <p>
+ Source code is defined as the preferred form of the program for making
+ changes in.  Thus, whatever form a developer changes to develop
+ the program is the source code of that developer's version.
+ </p>
+ <p>
  Freedom 1 includes the freedom to use your changed version in place of
  the original.  If the program is delivered in a product designed to
- run someone else's modified versions but refuse to run yours &mdash; a
+ run someone else's modified versions but refuse to run yours&mdash;a
- practice known as &ldquo;tivoization&rdquo; or &ldquo;lockdown&rdquo;,
+ practice known as &ldquo;tivoization&rdquo; or &ldquo;lockdown,&rdquo;
  or (in its practitioners' perverse terminology) as &ldquo;secure
- boot&rdquo; &mdash; freedom 1 becomes an empty pretense rather than a
+ boot&rdquo;&mdash;freedom 1 becomes an empty pretense rather than a
  practical reality.  These binaries are not free
  software even if the source code they are compiled from is free.
  </p>
-Line 152 
 software even if the source code they ar
+Line 271 
 software even if the source code they ar
  <p>
  One important way to modify a program is by merging in available free
  subroutines and modules.  If the program's license says that you
- cannot merge in a suitably licensed existing module &mdash; for instance, if it
+ cannot merge in a suitably licensed existing module&mdash;for instance, if it
- requires you to be the copyright holder of any code you add &mdash; then the
+ requires you to be the copyright holder of any code you add&mdash;then the
  license is too restrictive to qualify as free.
  </p>
-Line 163 
 If your right to modify a program is lim
+Line 282 
 If your right to modify a program is lim
  someone else considers an improvement, that program is not free.
  </p>
- <h4>The freedom to redistribute if you wish: basic requirements</h4>
+ <p>
+ One special case of freedom 1 is to delete the program's code so it
+ returns after doing nothing, or make it invoke some other program.
+ Thus, freedom 1 includes the &ldquo;freedom to delete the program.&rdquo;
+ </p>
+ <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 184 
 notify anyone in particular, or in any p
+Line 310 
 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 200 
 freedom to redistribute such forms shoul
+Line 326 
 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 225 
 Software</a> for a description of how &l
+Line 351 
 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 260 
 sort of requirement is acceptable only i
+Line 386 
 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 284 
 export law could make the requirement no
+Line 410 
 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 297 
 cause, the software is not free.
+Line 423 
 cause, the software is not free.
  <p>
  A free license may not require compliance with the license of a
  nonfree program.  Thus, for instance, if a license requires you to
- comply with the licenses of &ldquo;all the programs you use&rdquo;, in
+ comply with the licenses of &ldquo;all the programs you use,&rdquo; in
  the case of a user that runs nonfree programs this would require
  compliance with the licenses of those nonfree programs; that makes the
  license nonfree.
-Line 308 
 It is acceptable for a free license to s
+Line 434 
 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 329 
 legitimate, we will have to think about
+Line 455 
 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">The Free Software Definition in Practice</h3>
- <p>
+ <h4 id="interpretation">How we interpret these criteria</h4>
- 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>
  <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 358 
 a conclusion about a new issue, we often
+Line 473 
 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 382 
 help you can ensure that the license rea
+Line 497 
 help you can ensure that the license rea
  and avoid various practical problems.
  </p>
+ <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">Beyond Software</h3>
  <p>
-Line 392 
 manuals are in effect part of the softwa
+Line 528 
 manuals are in effect part of the softwa
  <p>
  The same arguments also make sense for other kinds of works of
- practical use &mdash; that is to say, works that embody useful knowledge,
+ 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 404 
 has been extended to a definition of <a
+Line 540 
 has been extended to a definition of <a
  free cultural works</a> applicable to any kind of works.
  </p>
- <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>
  <h3 id="History">History</h3>
  <p>From time to time we revise this Free Software Definition.  Here is
-Line 423 
 was changed.</p>
+Line 548 
 was changed.</p>
  <ul>
- <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
+ <li><a href="//web.cvs.savannah.gnu.org/viewvc/www/philosophy/free-sw.html?root=www&amp;r1=1.168&amp;r2=1.169">Version
+.169</a>: Explain more clearly why the four freedoms must apply
+ to commercial activity.  Explain why the four freedoms imply the
+ freedom not to run the program and the freedom to delete it, so there
+ is no need to state those as separate requirements.</li>
+ <li><a href="//web.cvs.savannah.gnu.org/viewvc/www/philosophy/free-sw.html?root=www&amp;r1=1.164&amp;r2=1.165">Version
+.165</a>: Clarify that arbitrary annoyances in the code do not
+ negate freedom 0, and that freedoms 1 and 3 enable users to remove them.</li>
+ <li><a href="//web.cvs.savannah.gnu.org/viewvc/www/philosophy/free-sw.html?root=www&amp;r1=1.152&amp;r2=1.153">Version
 .153</a>: Clarify that freedom to run the program means nothing stops
  you from making it run.</li>
- <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
+ <li><a href="//web.cvs.savannah.gnu.org/viewvc/www/philosophy/free-sw.html?root=www&amp;r1=1.140&amp;r2=1.141">Version
 .141</a>: Clarify which code needs to be free.</li>
- <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
+ <li><a href="//web.cvs.savannah.gnu.org/viewvc/www/philosophy/free-sw.html?root=www&amp;r1=1.134&amp;r2=1.135">Version
 .135</a>: Say each time that freedom 0 is the freedom to run the program
  as you wish.</li>
- <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
+ <li><a href="//web.cvs.savannah.gnu.org/viewvc/www/philosophy/free-sw.html?root=www&amp;r1=1.133&amp;r2=1.134">Version
 .134</a>: Freedom 0 is not a matter of the program's functionality.</li>
- <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
+ <li><a href="//web.cvs.savannah.gnu.org/viewvc/www/philosophy/free-sw.html?root=www&amp;r1=1.130&amp;r2=1.131">Version
 .131</a>: A free license may not require compliance with a nonfree license
  of another program.</li>
- <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
+ <li><a href="//web.cvs.savannah.gnu.org/viewvc/www/philosophy/free-sw.html?root=www&amp;r1=1.128&amp;r2=1.129">Version
 .129</a>: State explicitly that choice of law and choice of forum
  specifications are allowed.  (This was always our policy.)</li>
- <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
+ <li><a href="//web.cvs.savannah.gnu.org/viewvc/www/philosophy/free-sw.html?root=www&amp;r1=1.121&amp;r2=1.122">Version
 .122</a>: An export control requirement is a real problem if the
  requirement is nontrivial; otherwise it is only a potential problem.</li>
- <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
+ <li><a href="//web.cvs.savannah.gnu.org/viewvc/www/philosophy/free-sw.html?root=www&amp;r1=1.117&amp;r2=1.118">Version
 .118</a>: Clarification: the issue is limits on your right to modify,
  not on what modifications you have made.  And modifications are not limited
  to &ldquo;improvements&rdquo;</li>
- <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
+ <li><a href="//web.cvs.savannah.gnu.org/viewvc/www/philosophy/free-sw.html?root=www&amp;r1=1.110&amp;r2=1.111">Version
 .111</a>: Clarify 1.77 by saying that only
  retroactive <em>restrictions</em> are unacceptable.  The copyright
  holders can always grant additional <em>permission</em> for use of the
  work by releasing the work in another way in parallel.</li>
- <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
+ <li><a href="//web.cvs.savannah.gnu.org/viewvc/www/philosophy/free-sw.html?root=www&amp;r1=1.104&amp;r2=1.105">Version
 .105</a>: Reflect, in the brief statement of freedom 1, the point
  (already stated in version 1.80) that it includes really using your modified
  version for your computing.</li>
- <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="//web.cvs.savannah.gnu.org/viewvc/www/philosophy/free-sw.html?root=www&amp;r1=1.91&amp;r2=1.92">Version
 .92</a>: Clarify that obfuscated code does not qualify as source code.</li>
- <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
+ <li><a href="//web.cvs.savannah.gnu.org/viewvc/www/philosophy/free-sw.html?root=www&amp;r1=1.89&amp;r2=1.90">Version
 .90</a>: Clarify that freedom 3 means the right to distribute copies
  of your own modified or improved version, not a right to participate
  in someone else's development project.</li>
- <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
+ <li><a href="//web.cvs.savannah.gnu.org/viewvc/www/philosophy/free-sw.html?root=www&amp;r1=1.88&amp;r2=1.89">Version
 .89</a>: Freedom 3 includes the right to release modified versions as
  free software.</li>
- <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
+ <li><a href="//web.cvs.savannah.gnu.org/viewvc/www/philosophy/free-sw.html?root=www&amp;r1=1.79&amp;r2=1.80">Version
 .80</a>: Freedom 1 must be practical, not just theoretical;
  i.e., no tivoization.</li>
- <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
+ <li><a href="//web.cvs.savannah.gnu.org/viewvc/www/philosophy/free-sw.html?root=www&amp;r1=1.76&amp;r2=1.77">Version
 .77</a>: Clarify that all retroactive changes to the license are
  unacceptable, even if it's not described as a complete
  replacement.</li>
- <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
+ <li><a href="//web.cvs.savannah.gnu.org/viewvc/www/philosophy/free-sw.html?root=www&amp;r1=1.73&amp;r2=1.74">Version
 .74</a>: Four clarifications of points not explicit enough, or stated
  in some places but not reflected everywhere:
  <ul>
- <li>"Improvements" does not mean the license can
+ <li>&ldquo;Improvements&rdquo; does not mean the license can
  substantively limit what kinds of modified versions you can release.
  Freedom 3 includes distributing modified versions, not just changes.</li>
  <li>The right to merge in existing modules
-Line 500 
 refers to those that are suitably licens
+Line 635 
 refers to those that are suitably licens
  </ul>
  </li>
- <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
+ <li><a href="//web.cvs.savannah.gnu.org/viewvc/www/philosophy/free-sw.html?root=www&amp;r1=1.56&amp;r2=1.57">Version
-.57</a>: Add &quot;Beyond Software&quot; section.</li>
+.57</a>: Add &ldquo;Beyond Software&rdquo; section.</li>
- <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
+ <li><a href="//web.cvs.savannah.gnu.org/viewvc/www/philosophy/free-sw.html?root=www&amp;r1=1.45&amp;r2=1.46">Version
 .46</a>: Clarify whose purpose is significant in the freedom to run
  the program for any purpose.</li>
- <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
+ <li><a href="//web.cvs.savannah.gnu.org/viewvc/www/philosophy/free-sw.html?root=www&amp;r1=1.40&amp;r2=1.41">Version
 .41</a>: Clarify wording about contract-based licenses.</li>
- <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
+ <li><a href="//web.cvs.savannah.gnu.org/viewvc/www/philosophy/free-sw.html?root=www&amp;r1=1.39&amp;r2=1.40">Version
 .40</a>: Explain that a free license must allow to you use other
  available free software to create your modifications.</li>
- <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
+ <li><a href="//web.cvs.savannah.gnu.org/viewvc/www/philosophy/free-sw.html?root=www&amp;r1=1.38&amp;r2=1.39">Version
 .39</a>: Note that it is acceptable for a license to require you to
  provide source for versions of the software you put into public
  use.</li>
- <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
+ <li><a href="//web.cvs.savannah.gnu.org/viewvc/www/philosophy/free-sw.html?root=www&amp;r1=1.30&amp;r2=1.31">Version
 .31</a>: Note that it is acceptable for a license to require you to
  identify yourself as the author of modifications.  Other minor
  clarifications throughout the text.</li>
- <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
+ <li><a href="//web.cvs.savannah.gnu.org/viewvc/www/philosophy/free-sw.html?root=www&amp;r1=1.22&amp;r2=1.23">Version
 .23</a>: Address potential problems related to contract-based
  licenses.</li>
- <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
+ <li><a href="//web.cvs.savannah.gnu.org/viewvc/www/philosophy/free-sw.html?root=www&amp;r1=1.15&amp;r2=1.16">Version
 .16</a>: Explain why distribution of binaries is important.</li>
- <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="//web.cvs.savannah.gnu.org/viewvc/www/philosophy/free-sw.html?root=www&amp;r1=1.10&amp;r2=1.11">Version
 .11</a>: Note that a free license may require you to send a copy of
  versions you distribute to previous developers on request.</li>
-Line 542 
 other changes in this page that do not a
+Line 677 
 other changes in this page that do not a
  interpretations.  For instance, the list does not include changes in
  asides, formatting, spelling, punctuation, or other parts of the page.
  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
+ the <a href="//web.cvs.savannah.gnu.org/viewvc/www/philosophy/free-sw.html?root=www&amp;view=log">cvsweb
  interface</a>.</p>
+ <div class="column-limit"></div>
+ <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
+ the freedom to run the program needed to be mentioned explicitly.
+ 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 566 
 to <a href="mailto:webmasters@gnu.org">&
+Line 711 
 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 593 
 of this article.</p>
+Line 738 
 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, 2009-2016
+ <p>Copyright &copy; 1996-2002, 2004-2019, 2021, 2022, 2023
  Free Software Foundation, Inc.</p>
  <p>This page is licensed under a <a rel="license"
-Line 608 
 $Date$
+Line 753 
 $Date$
  <!-- timestamp end -->
  </p>
  </div>
- </div>
+ </div><!-- for class="inner", starts in the banner include -->
  </body>
  </html>

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