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2  <HTML>  <!-- Parent-Version: 1.75 -->
3  <HEAD>  <title>What is free software?
4  <TITLE>The Free Software Definition - GNU Project - Free Software Foundation (FSF)</TITLE>  - GNU Project - Free Software Foundation</title>
5  <LINK REV="made" HREF="mailto:webmasters@www.gnu.org">  
6  </HEAD>  <meta http-equiv="Keywords" content="GNU, FSF, Free Software Foundation, Linux, Emacs, GCC, Unix, Free Software, Operating System, GNU Kernel, HURD, GNU HURD, Hurd" />
7  <BODY BGCOLOR="#FFFFFF" TEXT="#000000" LINK="#1F00FF" ALINK="#FF0000" VLINK="#9900DD">  <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." />
8  <H3>The Free Software Definition</H3>  
9    <!--#include virtual="/philosophy/po/free-sw.translist" -->
10  <A HREF="/graphics/philosophicalgnu.html"><IMG SRC="/graphics/philosophical-gnu-sm.jpg"  <!--#include virtual="/server/banner.html" -->
11     ALT=" [image of a Philosophical Gnu] "  
12     WIDTH="160" HEIGHT="200"></A>  <h2>What is free software?</h2>
13    
14  [  <h3>The Free Software Definition</h3>
15  <!-- Please keep this list alphabetical -->  
16  <!-- PLEASE UPDATE THE LIST AT THE BOTTOM (OR TOP) OF THE PAGE TOO! -->  <blockquote>
17  <A HREF="/philosophy/free-sw.hr.html">Croatian</A>  <p>
18  | <A HREF="/philosophy/free-sw.cs.html">Czech</A>  The free software definition presents the criteria for whether a
19  | <A HREF="/philosophy/free-sw.da.html">Danish</A>  particular software program qualifies as free software.  From time to
20  | <A HREF="/philosophy/free-sw.nl.html">Dutch</A>  time we revise this definition, to clarify it or to resolve questions
21  | <A HREF="/philosophy/free-sw.html">English</A>  about subtle issues.  See the <a href="#History">History section</a>
22  | <A HREF="/philosophy/free-sw.fr.html">French</A>  below for a list of changes that affect the definition of free
23  | <A HREF="/philosophy/free-sw.gl.html">Galician</A>  software.
24  | <A HREF="/philosophy/free-sw.de.html">German</A>  </p>
25  | <A HREF="/philosophy/free-sw.hu.html">Hungarian</A>  </blockquote>
26  | <A HREF="/philosophy/free-sw.id.html">Indonesian</A>  
27  | <A HREF="/philosophy/free-sw.it.html">Italian</A>  <p>
28  | <A HREF="/philosophy/free-sw.ja.html">Japanese</A>  &ldquo;Free software&rdquo; means software that respects users'
29  | <A HREF="/philosophy/free-sw.ko.html">Korean</A>  freedom and community.  Roughly, it means that <b>the users have the
30  | <A HREF="/philosophy/free-sw.no.html">Norwegian</A>  freedom to run, copy, distribute, study, change and improve the
31  | <A HREF="/philosophy/free-sw.pl.html">Polish</A>  software</b>.  Thus, &ldquo;free software&rdquo; is a matter of
32  | <A HREF="/philosophy/free-sw.pt.html">Portuguese</A>  liberty, not price.  To understand the concept, you should think of
33  | <A HREF="/philosophy/free-sw.ro.html">Romanian</A>  &ldquo;free&rdquo; as in &ldquo;free speech,&rdquo; not as in
34  | <A HREF="/philosophy/free-sw.ru.html">Russian</A>  &ldquo;free beer&rdquo;.
35  | <A HREF="/philosophy/free-sw.sl.html">Slovenian</A>  </p>
36  | <A HREF="/philosophy/free-sw.es.html">Spanish</A>  
37  | <A HREF="/philosophy/free-sw.tr.html">Turkish</A>  <p>
38  <!-- Please keep this list alphabetical -->  We campaign for these freedoms because everyone deserves them.  With
39  <!-- PLEASE UPDATE THE LIST AT THE BOTTOM (OR TOP) OF THE PAGE TOO! -->  these freedoms, the users (both individually and collectively) control
40  ]  the program and what it does for them.  When users don't control the
41  <P>  program, we call it a &ldquo;nonfree&rdquo; or
42    &ldquo;proprietary&rdquo; program.  The nonfree program controls the
43  We maintain this free software definition to show clearly what must be  users, and the developer controls the program; this makes the
44  true about a particular software program for it to be considered  program <a href="/philosophy/free-software-even-more-important.html">
45  free software.  an instrument of unjust power</a>.
46    </p>
47  <P>  
48    <p>
49  ``Free software'' is a matter of liberty, not price.  To understand the  A program is free software if the program's users have the
50  concept, you should think of ``free'' as in ``free speech,'' not as in  four essential freedoms:
51  ``free beer.''  </p>
52  <P>  
53  Free software is a matter of the users' freedom to run, copy,  <ul>
54  distribute, study, change and improve the software.  More precisely,    <li>The freedom to run the program, for any purpose (freedom 0).</li>
55  it refers to four kinds of freedom, for the users of the software:    <li>The freedom to study how the program works, and change it so it
56  <P>        does your computing as you wish (freedom 1). Access to the source
57          code is a precondition for this.
58  <UL>    </li>
59    <LI>The freedom to run the program, for any purpose (freedom 0).    <li>The freedom to redistribute copies so you can help your neighbor
   <LI>The freedom to study how the program works, and adapt it to your needs  
       (freedom 1).   Access to the source code is a precondition for this.  
   <LI>The freedom to redistribute copies so you can help your neighbor  
60        (freedom 2).        (freedom 2).
61    <LI>The freedom to improve the program, and release your improvements    </li>
62       to the public, so that the whole community benefits.    <li>The freedom to distribute copies of your modified versions
63        (freedom 3).   Access to the source code is a precondition for this.        to others (freedom 3).  By doing this you can give the whole
64  </UL>        community a chance to benefit from your changes.
65          Access to the source code is a precondition for this.
66  <P>    </li>
67  A program is free software if users have all of these freedoms.  </ul>
68  Thus, you should be free to redistribute copies, either with or  
69  without modifications, either gratis or charging a fee for  <p>
70  distribution, to <A HREF="#exportcontrol">anyone anywhere</A>.  Being  A program is free software if it gives users adequately all of these
71  free to do these things means (among other things) that you do not  freedoms.  Otherwise, it is nonfree.  While we can distinguish various
72  have to ask or pay for permission.  nonfree distribution schemes in terms of how far they fall short of
73    being free, we consider them all equally unethical.</p>
74    
75    <p>The rest of this page clarifies certain points about what makes
76    specific freedoms adequate or not.</p>
77    
78    <p>Freedom to distribute (freedoms 2 and 3) means you are free to
79    redistribute copies, either with or without modifications, either
80    gratis or charging a fee for distribution, to
81    <a href="#exportcontrol">anyone anywhere</a>.  Being free to do these
82    things means (among other things) that you do not have to ask or pay
83    for permission to do so.
84    </p>
85    
86  <P>  <p>
87  You should also have the freedom to make modifications and use them  You should also have the freedom to make modifications and use them
88  privately in your own work or play, without even mentioning that they  privately in your own work or play, without even mentioning that they
89  exist.  If you do publish your changes, you should not be required to  exist.  If you do publish your changes, you should not be required to
90  notify anyone in particular, or in any particular way.  notify anyone in particular, or in any particular way.
91    </p>
92    
93  <P>  <p>
94  The freedom to use a program means the freedom for any kind of person  The freedom to run the program means the freedom for any kind of person
95  or organization to use it on any kind of computer system, for any kind  or organization to use it on any kind of computer system, for any kind of
96  of overall job, and without being required to communicate subsequently  overall job and purpose, without being required to communicate about it
97  with the developer or any other specific entity.  with the developer or any other specific entity.  In this freedom, it is
98    the <em>user's</em> purpose that matters, not the <em>developer's</em>
99    purpose; you as a user are free to run the program for your purposes,
100    and if you distribute it to someone else, she is then free to run it
101    for her purposes, but you are not entitled to impose your purposes on her.
102    </p>
103    
104  <P>  <p>
105  The freedom to redistribute copies must include binary or executable  The freedom to redistribute copies must include binary or executable
106  forms of the program, as well as source code, for both modified and  forms of the program, as well as source code, for both modified and
107  unmodified versions.  (Distributing programs in runnable form is  unmodified versions.  (Distributing programs in runnable form is necessary
108  necessary for conveniently installable free operating systems.)  It is  for conveniently installable free operating systems.)  It is OK if there
109  ok if there is no way to produce a binary or executable form for a  is no way to produce a binary or executable form for a certain program
110  certain program (since some languages don't support that feature), but  (since some languages don't support that feature), but you must have the
111  you must have the freedom to redistribute such forms should you find  freedom to redistribute such forms should you find or develop a way to
112  or develop a way to make them.  make them.
113    </p>
114  <P>  
115  In order for the freedoms to make changes, and to publish improved  <p>
116  versions, to be meaningful, you must have access to the source code of  In order for freedoms 1 and 3 (the freedom to make changes and the
117  the program.  Therefore, accessibility of source code is a necessary  freedom to publish the changed versions) to be meaningful, you must have
118  condition for free software.  access to the source code of the program.  Therefore, accessibility of
119    source code is a necessary condition for free software.  Obfuscated
120  <P>  &ldquo;source code&rdquo; is not real source code and does not count
121  In order for these freedoms to be real, they must be irrevocable as  as source code.
122  long as you do nothing wrong; if the developer of the software has the  </p>
123  power to revoke the license, without your doing anything to give  
124    <p>
125    Freedom 1 includes the freedom to use your changed version in place of
126    the original.  If the program is delivered in a product designed to
127    run someone else's modified versions but refuse to run yours &mdash; a
128    practice known as &ldquo;tivoization&rdquo; or &ldquo;lockdown&rdquo;,
129    or (in its practitioners' perverse terminology) as &ldquo;secure
130    boot&rdquo; &mdash; freedom 1 becomes a theoretical fiction rather
131    than a practical freedom.  This is not sufficient.  In other words,
132    these binaries are not free software even if the source code they are
133    compiled from is free.
134    </p>
135    
136    <p>
137    One important way to modify a program is by merging in available free
138    subroutines and modules.  If the program's license says that you
139    cannot merge in a suitably licensed existing module &mdash; for instance, if it
140    requires you to be the copyright holder of any code you add &mdash; then the
141    license is too restrictive to qualify as free.
142    </p>
143    
144    <p>
145    Freedom 3 includes the freedom to release your modified versions
146    as free software.  A free license may also permit other ways of
147    releasing them; in other words, it does not have to be
148    a <a href="/copyleft/copyleft.html">copyleft</a> license.  However, a
149    license that requires modified versions to be nonfree does not qualify
150    as a free license.
151    </p>
152    
153    <p>
154    In order for these freedoms to be real, they must be permanent and
155    irrevocable as long as you do nothing wrong; if the developer of the
156    software has the power to revoke the license, or retroactively add
157    restrictions to its terms, without your doing anything wrong to give
158  cause, the software is not free.  cause, the software is not free.
159    </p>
160    
161  <P>  <p>
162  However, certain kinds of rules about the manner of distributing free  However, certain kinds of rules about the manner of distributing free
163  software are acceptable, when they don't conflict with the central  software are acceptable, when they don't conflict with the central
164  freedoms.  For example, copyleft (very simply stated) is the rule that  freedoms.  For example, copyleft (very simply stated) is the rule that
165  when redistributing the program, you cannot add restrictions to deny  when redistributing the program, you cannot add restrictions to deny
166  other people the central freedoms.  This rule does not conflict with  other people the central freedoms.  This rule does not conflict with
167  the central freedoms; rather it protects them.  the central freedoms; rather it protects them.
168    </p>
169    
170  <P>  <p>
171  Thus, you may have paid money to get copies of free software, or you  &ldquo;Free software&rdquo; does not mean &ldquo;noncommercial&rdquo;.  A free
172  may have obtained copies at no charge.  But regardless of how you got  program must be available for commercial use, commercial development,
173  your copies, you always have the freedom to copy and change the  and commercial distribution.  Commercial development of free software
174  software, even to <A HREF="/philosophy/selling.html">sell copies</A>.  is no longer unusual; such free commercial software is very important.
175  <P>  You may have paid money to get copies of free software, or you may have
176    obtained copies at no charge.  But regardless of how you got your copies,
177  ``Free software'' does not mean ``non-commercial''.  A free program  you always have the freedom to copy and change the software, even to
178  must be available for commercial use, commercial development, and  <a href="/philosophy/selling.html">sell copies</a>.
179  commercial distribution.  Commercial development of free software is  </p>
180  no longer unusual; such free commercial software is very important.  
181    <p>
182  <P>  Whether a change constitutes an improvement is a subjective matter.
183  Rules about how to package a modified version are acceptable, if they  If your right to modify a program is limited, in substance, to changes that
184  don't effectively block your freedom to release modified versions.  someone else considers an improvement, that program is not free.
185  Rules that ``if you make the program available in this way, you must  </p>
186  make it available in that way also'' can be acceptable too, on the  
187  same condition.  (Note that such a rule still leaves you the choice of  <p>
188  whether to publish the program or not.)  It is also acceptable for the  However, rules about how to package a modified version are acceptable,
189  license to require that, if you have distributed a modified version  if they don't substantively limit your freedom to release modified
190  and a previous developer asks for a copy of it, you must send one.  versions, or your freedom to make and use modified versions privately.
191    Thus, it is acceptable for the license to require that you change the
192  <P>  name of the modified version, remove a logo, or identify your
193  In the GNU project, we use <A HREF="/copyleft/copyleft.html">  modifications as yours.  As long as these requirements are not so
194  ``copyleft''</A> to protect these freedoms legally for everyone.  But  burdensome that they effectively hamper you from releasing your
195  <A HREF="/philosophy/categories.html#Non-CopyleftedFreeSoftware">  changes, they are acceptable; you're already making other changes to
196  non-copylefted free software</A> also exists.  We believe there are  the program, so you won't have trouble making a few more.
197  important reasons why <A HREF="/philosophy/pragmatic.html"> it is  </p>
198  better to use copyleft</A>, but if your program is non-copylefted free  
199  software, we can still use it.  <p>
200    Rules that &ldquo;if you make your version available in this way, you
201  <P>  must make it available in that way also&rdquo; can be acceptable too,
202  See <A HREF="/philosophy/categories.html">Categories of Free Software  on the same condition.  An example of such an acceptable rule is one
203         (18k characters)</A>  saying that if you have distributed a
204  for a description of how ``free software,'' ``copylefted software'' and  modified version and a previous developer asks for a copy of it, you
205  other categories of software relate to each other.  must send one.  (Note that such a rule still leaves you the choice of
206    whether to distribute your version at all.)  Rules that require release
207  <P>  of source code to the users for versions that you put into public use
208  Sometimes government <A NAME="exportcontrol">export control  are also acceptable.
209  regulations</A> and trade sanctions can constrain your freedom to  </p>
210  distribute copies of programs internationally.  Software developers do  
211  not have the power to eliminate or override these restrictions, but  <p>
212  what they can and must do is refuse to impose them as conditions of  A special issue arises when a license requires changing the name by
213  use of the program.  In this way, the restrictions will not affect  which the program will be invoked from other programs.  That
214  activities and people outside the jurisdictions of these governments.  effectively hampers you from releasing your changed version so that it
215    can replace the original when invoked by those other programs.  This
216  <P>  sort of requirement is acceptable only if there's a suitable aliasing
217  When talking about free software, it is best to avoid using terms like  facility that allows you to specify the original program's name as an
218  ``give away'' or ``for free'', because those terms imply that the  alias for the modified version.</p>
219  issue is about price, not freedom.  Some common terms such as  
220  ``piracy'' embody opinions we hope you won't endorse.  See <A  <p>
221  HREF="/philosophy/words-to-avoid.html">Confusing Words and Phrases  In the GNU project, we use
222  that are Worth Avoiding</A> for a discussion of these terms.  <a href="/copyleft/copyleft.html">copyleft</a>
223  We also have a list of <A HREF="/philosophy/fs-translations.html">translations  to protect these freedoms legally for everyone.  But
224  of "free software"</A> into various languages.  <a href="/philosophy/categories.html#Non-CopyleftedFreeSoftware">noncopylefted
225    free software</a> also exists.  We believe there are important reasons why
226  <P>  <a href="/philosophy/pragmatic.html">it is better to use copyleft</a>,
227    but if your program is noncopylefted free software, it is still basically
228    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.)
229    </p>
230    
231    <p>
232    Sometimes government <a id="exportcontrol">export control regulations</a>
233    and trade sanctions can constrain your freedom to distribute copies of
234    programs internationally.  Software developers do not have the power to
235    eliminate or override these restrictions, but what they can and must do
236    is refuse to impose them as conditions of use of the program.  In this
237    way, the restrictions will not affect activities and people outside the
238    jurisdictions of these governments.  Thus, free software licenses
239    must not require obedience to any nontrivial export regulations as a
240    condition of exercising any of the essential freedoms.
241    </p>
242    
243    <p>
244    Merely mentioning the existence of export regulations, without making
245    them a condition of the license itself, is acceptable since it does
246    not restrict users.  If an export regulation is actually trivial for
247    free software, then requiring it as a condition is not an actual
248    problem; however, it is a potential problem, since a later change in
249    export law could make the requirement nontrivial and thus render the
250    software nonfree.
251    </p>
252    
253    <p>
254    Most free software licenses are based on copyright, and there are limits
255    on what kinds of requirements can be imposed through copyright.  If a
256    copyright-based license respects freedom in the ways described above, it
257    is unlikely to have some other sort of problem that we never anticipated
258    (though this does happen occasionally).  However, some free software
259    licenses are based on contracts, and contracts can impose a much larger
260    range of possible restrictions.  That means there are many possible ways
261    such a license could be unacceptably restrictive and nonfree.
262    </p>
263    
264    <p>
265    We can't possibly list all the ways that might happen.  If a
266    contract-based license restricts the user in an unusual way that
267    copyright-based licenses cannot, and which isn't mentioned here as
268    legitimate, we will have to think about it, and we will probably conclude
269    it is nonfree.
270    </p>
271    
272    <p>
273    When talking about free software, it is best to avoid using terms
274    like &ldquo;give away&rdquo; or &ldquo;for free,&rdquo; because those terms imply that
275    the issue is about price, not freedom.  Some common terms such
276    as &ldquo;piracy&rdquo; embody opinions we hope you won't endorse.  See
277    <a href="/philosophy/words-to-avoid.html">Confusing Words and Phrases that
278    are Worth Avoiding</a> for a discussion of these terms.  We also have
279    a list of proper <a href="/philosophy/fs-translations.html">translations of
280    &ldquo;free software&rdquo;</a> into various languages.
281    </p>
282    
283    <p>
284  Finally, note that criteria such as those stated in this free software  Finally, note that criteria such as those stated in this free software
285  definition require careful thought for their interpretation.  To  definition require careful thought for their interpretation.  To decide
286  decide whether a specific software license qualifies as a free  whether a specific software license qualifies as a free software license,
287  software license, we judge it based on these criteria to determine  we judge it based on these criteria to determine whether it fits their
288  whether it fits their spirit as well as the precise words.  If a  spirit as well as the precise words.  If a license includes unconscionable
289  license includes unconscionable restrictions, we reject it, even if we  restrictions, we reject it, even if we did not anticipate the issue
290  did not anticipate the issue in these criteria.  Sometimes a license  in these criteria.  Sometimes a license requirement raises an issue
291  requirement raises an issue that calls for extensive thought,  that calls for extensive thought, including discussions with a lawyer,
292  including discussions with a lawyer, before we can decide if the  before we can decide if the requirement is acceptable.  When we reach
293  requirement is acceptable.  When we reach a conclusion about a new  a conclusion about a new issue, we often update these criteria to make
294  issue, we often update these criteria to make it easier to see why  it easier to see why certain licenses do or don't qualify.
295  certain licenses do or don't qualify.  </p>
296    
297  <P>  <p>
298    If you are interested in whether a specific license qualifies as a free
299  If you are interested in whether a specific license qualifies as a  software license, see our <a href="/licenses/license-list.html">list
300  free software license, see our <A  of licenses</a>.  If the license you are concerned with is not
301  HREF="/licenses/license-list.html">list of licenses</A>.  If the  listed there, you can ask us about it by sending us email at
302  license you are concerned with is not listed there, you can ask us  <a href="mailto:licensing@gnu.org">&lt;licensing@gnu.org&gt;</a>.
303  about it by sending us email at <A  </p>
304  HREF="mailto:licensing@gnu.org">&lt;licensing@gnu.org&gt;</A>.  
305    <p>
306  <HR>  If you are contemplating writing a new license, please contact the
307    Free Software Foundation first by writing to that address. The
308  <H4><A HREF="/philosophy/philosophy.html">Other Texts to Read</A></H4>  proliferation of different free software licenses means increased work
309    for users in understanding the licenses; we may be able to help you
310  <P>  find an existing free software license that meets your needs.
311  Another group has started using the term "open source" to mean  </p>
312  something close (but not identical) to "free software".  We prefer the  
313  term "free software" because, once you have heard it refers to freedom  <p>
314  rather than price, <A HREF="free-software-for-freedom.html">it calls  If that isn't possible, if you really need a new license, with our
315  to mind freedom</A>.  help you can ensure that the license really is a free software license
316    and avoid various practical problems.
317  <HR>  </p>
318  [  
319  <!-- Please keep this list alphabetical -->  <h3 id="beyond-software">Beyond Software</h3>
320  <!-- PLEASE UPDATE THE LIST AT THE BOTTOM (OR TOP) OF THE PAGE TOO! -->  
321  <A HREF="/philosophy/free-sw.hr.html">Croatian</A>  <p>
322  | <A HREF="/philosophy/free-sw.cs.html">Czech</A>  <a href="/philosophy/free-doc.html">Software manuals must be free</a>,
323  | <A HREF="/philosophy/free-sw.da.html">Danish</A>  for the same reasons that software must be free, and because the
324  | <A HREF="/philosophy/free-sw.nl.html">Dutch</A>  manuals are in effect part of the software.
325  | <A HREF="/philosophy/free-sw.html">English</A>  </p>
326  | <A HREF="/philosophy/free-sw.fr.html">French</A>  
327  | <A HREF="/philosophy/free-sw.gl.html">Galician</A>  <p>
328  | <A HREF="/philosophy/free-sw.de.html">German</A>  The same arguments also make sense for other kinds of works of
329  | <A HREF="/philosophy/free-sw.hu.html">Hungarian</A>  practical use &mdash; that is to say, works that embody useful knowledge,
330  | <A HREF="/philosophy/free-sw.id.html">Indonesian</A>  such as educational works and reference
331  | <A HREF="/philosophy/free-sw.it.html">Italian</A>  works.  <a href="http://wikipedia.org">Wikipedia</a> is the best-known
332  | <A HREF="/philosophy/free-sw.ja.html">Japanese</A>  example.
333  | <A HREF="/philosophy/free-sw.ko.html">Korean</A>  </p>
334  | <A HREF="/philosophy/free-sw.no.html">Norwegian</A>  
335  | <A HREF="/philosophy/free-sw.pl.html">Polish</A>  <p>
336  | <A HREF="/philosophy/free-sw.pt.html">Portuguese</A>  Any kind of work <em>can</em> be free, and the definition of free software
337  | <A HREF="/philosophy/free-sw.ro.html">Romanian</A>  has been extended to a definition of <a href="http://freedomdefined.org/">
338  | <A HREF="/philosophy/free-sw.ru.html">Russian</A>  free cultural works</a> applicable to any kind of works.
339  | <A HREF="/philosophy/free-sw.sl.html">Slovenian</A>        </p>
340  | <A HREF="/philosophy/free-sw.es.html">Spanish</A>  
341  | <A HREF="/philosophy/free-sw.tr.html">Turkish</A>  <h3 id="open-source">Open Source?</h3>
342  <!-- Please keep this list alphabetical -->  
343  <!-- PLEASE UPDATE THE LIST AT THE BOTTOM (OR TOP) OF THE PAGE TOO! -->  <p>
344  ]  Another group has started using the term &ldquo;open source&rdquo; to mean
345  <P>  something close (but not identical) to &ldquo;free software&rdquo;.  We
346  Return to <A HREF="/home.html">GNU's home page</A>.  prefer the term &ldquo;free software&rdquo; because, once you have heard that
347  <P>  it refers to freedom rather than price, it calls to mind freedom.  The
348    word &ldquo;open&rdquo; <a href="/philosophy/open-source-misses-the-point.html">
349  Please send FSF &amp; GNU inquiries &amp; questions to  never refers to freedom</a>.
350    </p>
351  <A HREF="mailto:gnu@gnu.org"><EM>gnu@gnu.org</EM></A>.  
352  There are also <A HREF="/home.html#ContactInfo">other ways to  <h3 id="History">History</h3>
353  contact</A> the FSF.  
354  <P>  <p>From time to time we revise this Free Software Definition.  Here is
355    the list of substantive changes, along with links to show exactly what
356  Please send comments on these web pages to  was changed.</p>
357    
358  <A HREF="mailto:webmasters@gnu.org"><EM>webmasters@gnu.org</EM></A>,  <ul>
359  send other questions to  
360  <A HREF="mailto:gnu@gnu.org"><EM>gnu@gnu.org</EM></A>.  <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
361  <P>  1.122</a>: An export control requirement is a real problem if the
362  Copyright (C) 1996, 1997, 1998, 1999, 2000, 2001 Free Software Foundation, Inc.,  requirement is nontrivial; otherwise it is only a potential problem.</li>
363  59 Temple Place - Suite 330, Boston, MA  02111,  USA  
364  <P>  <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
365  Verbatim copying and distribution of this entire article is  1.118</a>: Clarification: the issue is limits on your right to modify,
366  permitted in any medium, provided this notice is preserved.  not on what modifications you have made.  And modifications are not limited
367  <P>  to &ldquo;improvements&rdquo;</li>
368  Updated:  
369    <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
370    1.111</a>: Clarify 1.77 by saying that only
371    retroactive <em>restrictions</em> are unacceptable.  The copyright
372    holders can always grant additional <em>permission</em> for use of the
373    work by releasing the work in another way in parallel.</li>
374    
375    <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
376    1.105</a>: Reflect, in the brief statement of freedom 1, the point
377    (already stated in version 1.80) that it includes really using your modified
378    version for your computing.</li>
379    
380    <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
381    1.92</a>: Clarify that obfuscated code does not qualify as source code.</li>
382    
383    <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
384    1.90</a>: Clarify that freedom 3 means the right to distribute copies
385    of your own modified or improved version, not a right to participate
386    in someone else's development project.</li>
387    
388    <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
389    1.89</a>: Freedom 3 includes the right to release modified versions as
390    free software.</li>
391    
392    <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
393    1.80</a>: Freedom 1 must be practical, not just theoretical;
394    i.e., no tivoization.</li>
395    
396    <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
397    1.77</a>: Clarify that all retroactive changes to the license are
398    unacceptable, even if it's not described as a complete
399    replacement.</li>
400    
401    <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
402    1.74</a>: Four clarifications of points not explicit enough, or stated
403    in some places but not reflected everywhere:
404    <ul>
405    <li>"Improvements" does not mean the license can
406    substantively limit what kinds of modified versions you can release.
407    Freedom 3 includes distributing modified versions, not just changes.</li>
408    <li>The right to merge in existing modules
409    refers to those that are suitably licensed.</li>
410    <li>Explicitly state the conclusion of the point about export controls.</li>
411    <li>Imposing a license change constitutes revoking the old license.</li>
412    </ul>
413    </li>
414    
415    <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
416    1.57</a>: Add &quot;Beyond Software&quot; section.</li>
417    
418    <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
419    1.46</a>: Clarify whose purpose is significant in the freedom to run
420    the program for any purpose.</li>
421    
422    <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
423    1.41</a>: Clarify wording about contract-based licenses.</li>
424    
425    <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
426    1.40</a>: Explain that a free license must allow to you use other
427    available free software to create your modifications.</li>
428    
429    <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
430    1.39</a>: Note that it is acceptable for a license to require you to
431    provide source for versions of the software you put into public
432    use.</li>
433    
434    <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
435    1.31</a>: Note that it is acceptable for a license to require you to
436    identify yourself as the author of modifications.  Other minor
437    clarifications throughout the text.</li>
438    
439    <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
440    1.23</a>: Address potential problems related to contract-based
441    licenses.</li>
442    
443    <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
444    1.16</a>: Explain why distribution of binaries is important.</li>
445    
446    <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
447    1.11</a>: Note that a free license may require you to send a copy of
448    versions you distribute to the author.</li>
449    
450    </ul>
451    
452    <p>There are gaps in the version numbers shown above because there are
453    other changes in this page that do not affect the definition or its
454    interpretations.  For instance, the list does not include changes in
455    asides, formatting, spelling, punctuation, or other parts of the page.
456    You can review the complete list of changes to the page through
457    the <a href="http://web.cvs.savannah.gnu.org/viewvc/www/philosophy/free-sw.html?root=www&amp;view=log">cvsweb
458    interface</a>.</p>
459    
460    
461    </div><!-- for id="content", starts in the include above -->
462    <!--#include virtual="/server/footer.html" -->
463    <div id="footer">
464    
465    <p>Please send general FSF &amp; GNU inquiries to
466    <a href="mailto:gnu@gnu.org">&lt;gnu@gnu.org&gt;</a>.
467    There are also <a href="/contact/">other ways to contact</a>
468    the FSF.  Broken links and other corrections or suggestions can be sent
469    to <a href="mailto:webmasters@gnu.org">&lt;webmasters@gnu.org&gt;</a>.</p>
470    
471    <p><!-- TRANSLATORS: Ignore the original text in this paragraph,
472            replace it with the translation of these two:
473    
474            We work hard and do our best to provide accurate, good quality
475            translations.  However, we are not exempt from imperfection.
476            Please send your comments and general suggestions in this regard
477            to <a href="mailto:web-translators@gnu.org">
478            &lt;web-translators@gnu.org&gt;</a>.</p>
479    
480            <p>For information on coordinating and submitting translations of
481            our web pages, see <a
482            href="/server/standards/README.translations.html">Translations
483            README</a>. -->
484    Please see the <a
485    href="/server/standards/README.translations.html">Translations
486    README</a> for information on coordinating and submitting translations
487    of this article.</p>
488    
489    <!-- Regarding copyright, in general, standalone pages (as opposed to
490         files generated as part of manuals) on the GNU web server should
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494         document.  For web pages, it is ok to list just the latest year the
495         document was modified, or published.
496        
497         If you wish to list earlier years, that is ok too.
498         Either "2001, 2002, 2003" or "2001-2003" are ok for specifying
499         years, as long as each year in the range is in fact a copyrightable
500         year, i.e., a year in which the document was published (including
501         being publicly visible on the web or in a revision control system).
502        
503         There is more detail about copyright years in the GNU Maintainers
504         Information document, www.gnu.org/prep/maintain. -->
505    
506    <p>Copyright &copy; 1996-2002, 2004-2007, 2009, 2010, 2012, 2013
507    Free Software Foundation, Inc.</p>
508    
509    <p>This page is licensed under a <a rel="license"
510    href="http://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-nd/3.0/us/">Creative
511    Commons Attribution-NoDerivs 3.0 United States License</a>.</p>
512    
513    <!--#include virtual="/server/bottom-notes.html" -->
514    
515    <p>Updated:
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517  $Date$ $Author$  $Date$
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