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2  <HTML>  <!-- Parent-Version: 1.77 -->
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.sv.html">Swedish</A>    <p>
38  | <A HREF="/philosophy/free-sw.tr.html">Turkish</A>  We campaign for these freedoms because everyone deserves them.  With
39  <!-- Please keep this list alphabetical -->  these freedoms, the users (both individually and collectively) control
40  <!-- PLEASE UPDATE THE LIST AT THE BOTTOM (OR TOP) OF THE PAGE TOO! -->  the program and what it does for them.  When users don't control the
41  ]  program, we call it a &ldquo;nonfree&rdquo; or
42  <P>  &ldquo;proprietary&rdquo; program.  The nonfree program controls the
43    users, and the developer controls the program; this makes the
44  We maintain this free software definition to show clearly what must be  program <a href="/philosophy/free-software-even-more-important.html">
45  true about a particular software program for it to be considered  an instrument of unjust power</a>.
46  free software.  </p>
47    
48  <P>  <p>
49    A program is free software if the program's users have the
50  ``Free software'' is a matter of liberty, not price.  To understand the  four essential freedoms:
51  concept, you should think of ``free'' as in ``free speech,'' not as in  </p>
52  ``free beer.''  
53  <P>  <ul>
54  Free software is a matter of the users' freedom to run, copy,    <li>The freedom to run the program as you wish,
55  distribute, study, change and improve the software.  More precisely,        for any purpose (freedom 0).</li>
56  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
57  <P>        does your computing as you wish (freedom 1). Access to the source
58          code is a precondition for this.
59  <UL>    </li>
60    <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  
61        (freedom 2).        (freedom 2).
62    <LI>The freedom to improve the program, and release your improvements    </li>
63       to the public, so that the whole community benefits    <li>The freedom to distribute copies of your modified versions
64        (freedom 3).   Access to the source code is a precondition for this.        to others (freedom 3).  By doing this you can give the whole
65  </UL>        community a chance to benefit from your changes.
66          Access to the source code is a precondition for this.
67  <P>    </li>
68  A program is free software if users have all of these freedoms.  </ul>
69  Thus, you should be free to redistribute copies, either with or  
70  without modifications, either gratis or charging a fee for  <p>
71  distribution, to <A HREF="#exportcontrol">anyone anywhere</A>.  Being  A program is free software if it gives users adequately all of these
72  free to do these things means (among other things) that you do not  freedoms.  Otherwise, it is nonfree.  While we can distinguish various
73  have to ask or pay for permission.  nonfree distribution schemes in terms of how far they fall short of
74    being free, we consider them all equally unethical.</p>
75    
76    <p>The rest of this page clarifies certain points about what makes
77    specific freedoms adequate or not.</p>
78    
79    <p>Freedom to distribute (freedoms 2 and 3) means you are free to
80    redistribute copies, either with or without modifications, either
81    gratis or charging a fee for distribution, to
82    <a href="#exportcontrol">anyone anywhere</a>.  Being free to do these
83    things means (among other things) that you do not have to ask or pay
84    for permission to do so.
85    </p>
86    
87  <P>  <p>
88  You should also have the freedom to make modifications and use them  You should also have the freedom to make modifications and use them
89  privately in your own work or play, without even mentioning that they  privately in your own work or play, without even mentioning that they
90  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
91  notify anyone in particular, or in any particular way.  notify anyone in particular, or in any particular way.
92    </p>
93    
94  <P>  <p>
95  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
96  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
97  of overall job, and without being required to communicate subsequently  overall job and purpose, without being required to communicate about it
98  with the developer or any other specific entity.  with the developer or any other specific entity.  In this freedom, it is
99    the <em>user's</em> purpose that matters, not the <em>developer's</em>
100    purpose; you as a user are free to run the program for your purposes,
101    and if you distribute it to someone else, she is then free to run it
102    for her purposes, but you are not entitled to impose your purposes on her.
103    </p>
104    
105    <p>
106    The freedom to run the program as you wish means that you are not
107    forbidden or stopped from doing so.  It has nothing to do with what
108    functionality the program has, or whether it is useful for what you
109    want to do.</p>
110    
111  <P>  <p>
112  The freedom to redistribute copies must include binary or executable  The freedom to redistribute copies must include binary or executable
113  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
114  unmodified versions.  (Distributing programs in runnable form is  unmodified versions.  (Distributing programs in runnable form is necessary
115  necessary for conveniently installable free operating systems.)  It is  for conveniently installable free operating systems.)  It is OK if there
116  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
117  certain program (since some languages don't support that feature), but  (since some languages don't support that feature), but you must have the
118  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
119  or develop a way to make them.  make them.
120    </p>
121  <P>  
122  In order for the freedoms to make changes, and to publish improved  <p>
123  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
124  the program.  Therefore, accessibility of source code is a necessary  freedom to publish the changed versions) to be meaningful, you must have
125  condition for free software.  access to the source code of the program.  Therefore, accessibility of
126    source code is a necessary condition for free software.  Obfuscated
127  <P>  &ldquo;source code&rdquo; is not real source code and does not count
128  In order for these freedoms to be real, they must be irrevocable as  as source code.
129  long as you do nothing wrong; if the developer of the software has the  </p>
130  power to revoke the license, without your doing anything to give  
131    <p>
132    Freedom 1 includes the freedom to use your changed version in place of
133    the original.  If the program is delivered in a product designed to
134    run someone else's modified versions but refuse to run yours &mdash; a
135    practice known as &ldquo;tivoization&rdquo; or &ldquo;lockdown&rdquo;,
136    or (in its practitioners' perverse terminology) as &ldquo;secure
137    boot&rdquo; &mdash; freedom 1 becomes a theoretical fiction rather
138    than a practical freedom.  This is not sufficient.  In other words,
139    these binaries are not free software even if the source code they are
140    compiled from is free.
141    </p>
142    
143    <p>
144    One important way to modify a program is by merging in available free
145    subroutines and modules.  If the program's license says that you
146    cannot merge in a suitably licensed existing module &mdash; for instance, if it
147    requires you to be the copyright holder of any code you add &mdash; then the
148    license is too restrictive to qualify as free.
149    </p>
150    
151    <p>
152    Freedom 3 includes the freedom to release your modified versions
153    as free software.  A free license may also permit other ways of
154    releasing them; in other words, it does not have to be
155    a <a href="/copyleft/copyleft.html">copyleft</a> license.  However, a
156    license that requires modified versions to be nonfree does not qualify
157    as a free license.
158    </p>
159    
160    <p>
161    In order for these freedoms to be real, they must be permanent and
162    irrevocable as long as you do nothing wrong; if the developer of the
163    software has the power to revoke the license, or retroactively add
164    restrictions to its terms, without your doing anything wrong to give
165  cause, the software is not free.  cause, the software is not free.
166    </p>
167    
168  <P>  <p>
169  However, certain kinds of rules about the manner of distributing free  However, certain kinds of rules about the manner of distributing free
170  software are acceptable, when they don't conflict with the central  software are acceptable, when they don't conflict with the central
171  freedoms.  For example, copyleft (very simply stated) is the rule that  freedoms.  For example, copyleft (very simply stated) is the rule that
172  when redistributing the program, you cannot add restrictions to deny  when redistributing the program, you cannot add restrictions to deny
173  other people the central freedoms.  This rule does not conflict with  other people the central freedoms.  This rule does not conflict with
174  the central freedoms; rather it protects them.  the central freedoms; rather it protects them.
175    </p>
176    
177  <P>  <p>
178  Thus, you may have paid money to get copies of free software, or you  In the GNU project, we use <a href="/copyleft/copyleft.html">
179  may have obtained copies at no charge.  But regardless of how you got  copyleft </a> to protect the four freedoms legally for everyone.  We
180  your copies, you always have the freedom to copy and change the  believe there are important reasons why
181  software, even to <A HREF="/philosophy/selling.html">sell copies</A>.  <a href="/philosophy/pragmatic.html">it is better to use
182  <P>  copyleft</a>.  However,
183    <a href="/philosophy/categories.html#Non-CopyleftedFreeSoftware">
184  ``Free software'' does not mean ``non-commercial''.  A free program  noncopylefted free software</a> is ethical
185  must be available for commercial use, commercial development, and  too.  See <a href="/philosophy/categories.html">Categories of Free
186  commercial distribution.  Commercial development of free software is  Software</a> for a description of how &ldquo;free software,&rdquo;
187  no longer unusual; such free commercial software is very important.  &ldquo;copylefted software&rdquo; and other categories of software
188    relate to each other.
189  <P>  </p>
190  Rules about how to package a modified version are acceptable, if they  
191  don't effectively block your freedom to release modified versions.  <p>
192  Rules that ``if you make the program available in this way, you must  &ldquo;Free software&rdquo; does not mean &ldquo;noncommercial&rdquo;.  A free
193  make it available in that way also'' can be acceptable too, on the  program must be available for commercial use, commercial development,
194  same condition.  (Note that such a rule still leaves you the choice of  and commercial distribution.  Commercial development of free software
195  whether to publish the program or not.)  It is also acceptable for the  is no longer unusual; such free commercial software is very important.
196  license to require that, if you have distributed a modified version  You may have paid money to get copies of free software, or you may have
197  and a previous developer asks for a copy of it, you must send one.  obtained copies at no charge.  But regardless of how you got your copies,
198    you always have the freedom to copy and change the software, even to
199  <P>  <a href="/philosophy/selling.html">sell copies</a>.
200  In the GNU project, we use <A HREF="/copyleft/copyleft.html">  </p>
201  ``copyleft''</A> to protect these freedoms legally for everyone.  But  
202  <A HREF="/philosophy/categories.html#Non-CopyleftedFreeSoftware">  <p>
203  non-copylefted free software</A> also exists.  We believe there are  Whether a change constitutes an improvement is a subjective matter.
204  important reasons why <A HREF="/philosophy/pragmatic.html"> it is  If your right to modify a program is limited, in substance, to changes that
205  better to use copyleft</A>, but if your program is non-copylefted free  someone else considers an improvement, that program is not free.
206  software, we can still use it.  </p>
207    
208  <P>  <p>
209  See <A HREF="/philosophy/categories.html">Categories of Free Software  However, rules about how to package a modified version are acceptable,
210         (18k characters)</A>  if they don't substantively limit your freedom to release modified
211  for a description of how ``free software,'' ``copylefted software'' and  versions, or your freedom to make and use modified versions privately.
212  other categories of software relate to each other.  Thus, it is acceptable for the license to require that you change the
213    name of the modified version, remove a logo, or identify your
214  <P>  modifications as yours.  As long as these requirements are not so
215  Sometimes government <A NAME="exportcontrol">export control  burdensome that they effectively hamper you from releasing your
216  regulations</A> and trade sanctions can constrain your freedom to  changes, they are acceptable; you're already making other changes to
217  distribute copies of programs internationally.  Software developers do  the program, so you won't have trouble making a few more.
218  not have the power to eliminate or override these restrictions, but  </p>
219  what they can and must do is refuse to impose them as conditions of  
220  use of the program.  In this way, the restrictions will not affect  <p>
221  activities and people outside the jurisdictions of these governments.  Rules that &ldquo;if you make your version available in this way, you
222    must make it available in that way also&rdquo; can be acceptable too,
223  <P>  on the same condition.  An example of such an acceptable rule is one
224  Most free software licenses are based on copyright, and there are  saying that if you have distributed a
225  limits on what kinds of requirements can be imposed through copyright.  modified version and a previous developer asks for a copy of it, you
226  If a copyright-based license respects freedom in the ways described  must send one.  (Note that such a rule still leaves you the choice of
227  above, it is unlikely to have some other sort of problem that we never  whether to distribute your version at all.)  Rules that require release
228  anticipated (though this does happen occasionally).  However, some  of source code to the users for versions that you put into public use
229  free software licenses are based on contracts, and contracts can  are also acceptable.
230  impose a much larger range of possible restrictions.  That means there  </p>
231  are many possible ways such a license could be unacceptably  
232  restrictive and non-free.  <p>
233  <P>  A special issue arises when a license requires changing the name by
234  We can't possibly list all the possible contract restrictions that  which the program will be invoked from other programs.  That
235  would be unacceptable.  If a contract-based license restricts the user  effectively hampers you from releasing your changed version so that it
236  in an unusual way that copyright-based licenses cannot, and which  can replace the original when invoked by those other programs.  This
237  isn't mentioned here as legitimate, we will have to think about it,  sort of requirement is acceptable only if there's a suitable aliasing
238  and we will probably decide it is non-free.  facility that allows you to specify the original program's name as an
239  <P>  alias for the modified version.</p>
240  When talking about free software, it is best to avoid using terms like  
241  ``give away'' or ``for free'', because those terms imply that the  <p>
242  issue is about price, not freedom.  Some common terms such as  Sometimes government <a id="exportcontrol">export control regulations</a>
243  ``piracy'' embody opinions we hope you won't endorse.  See <A  and trade sanctions can constrain your freedom to distribute copies of
244  HREF="/philosophy/words-to-avoid.html">Confusing Words and Phrases  programs internationally.  Software developers do not have the power to
245  that are Worth Avoiding</A> for a discussion of these terms.  eliminate or override these restrictions, but what they can and must do
246  We also have a list of <A HREF="/philosophy/fs-translations.html">translations  is refuse to impose them as conditions of use of the program.  In this
247  of "free software"</A> into various languages.  way, the restrictions will not affect activities and people outside the
248    jurisdictions of these governments.  Thus, free software licenses
249  <P>  must not require obedience to any nontrivial export regulations as a
250    condition of exercising any of the essential freedoms.
251    </p>
252    
253    <p>
254    Merely mentioning the existence of export regulations, without making
255    them a condition of the license itself, is acceptable since it does
256    not restrict users.  If an export regulation is actually trivial for
257    free software, then requiring it as a condition is not an actual
258    problem; however, it is a potential problem, since a later change in
259    export law could make the requirement nontrivial and thus render the
260    software nonfree.
261    </p>
262    
263    <p>
264    A free license may not require compliance with the license of a
265    nonfree program.  Thus, for instance, if a license requires you to
266    comply with the licenses of &ldquo;all the programs you use&rdquo;, in
267    the case of a user that runs nonfree programs this would require
268    compliance with the licenses of those nonfree programs; that makes the
269    license nonfree.
270    </p>
271    
272    <p>
273    It is acceptable for a free license to specify which jurisdiction's
274    law applies, or where litigation must be done, or both.
275    </p>
276    
277    <p>
278    Most free software licenses are based on copyright, and there are limits
279    on what kinds of requirements can be imposed through copyright.  If a
280    copyright-based license respects freedom in the ways described above, it
281    is unlikely to have some other sort of problem that we never anticipated
282    (though this does happen occasionally).  However, some free software
283    licenses are based on contracts, and contracts can impose a much larger
284    range of possible restrictions.  That means there are many possible ways
285    such a license could be unacceptably restrictive and nonfree.
286    </p>
287    
288    <p>
289    We can't possibly list all the ways that might happen.  If a
290    contract-based license restricts the user in an unusual way that
291    copyright-based licenses cannot, and which isn't mentioned here as
292    legitimate, we will have to think about it, and we will probably conclude
293    it is nonfree.
294    </p>
295    
296    <p>
297    When talking about free software, it is best to avoid using terms
298    like &ldquo;give away&rdquo; or &ldquo;for free,&rdquo; because those terms imply that
299    the issue is about price, not freedom.  Some common terms such
300    as &ldquo;piracy&rdquo; embody opinions we hope you won't endorse.  See
301    <a href="/philosophy/words-to-avoid.html">Confusing Words and Phrases that
302    are Worth Avoiding</a> for a discussion of these terms.  We also have
303    a list of proper <a href="/philosophy/fs-translations.html">translations of
304    &ldquo;free software&rdquo;</a> into various languages.
305    </p>
306    
307    <p>
308  Finally, note that criteria such as those stated in this free software  Finally, note that criteria such as those stated in this free software
309  definition require careful thought for their interpretation.  To  definition require careful thought for their interpretation.  To decide
310  decide whether a specific software license qualifies as a free  whether a specific software license qualifies as a free software license,
311  software license, we judge it based on these criteria to determine  we judge it based on these criteria to determine whether it fits their
312  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
313  license includes unconscionable restrictions, we reject it, even if we  restrictions, we reject it, even if we did not anticipate the issue
314  did not anticipate the issue in these criteria.  Sometimes a license  in these criteria.  Sometimes a license requirement raises an issue
315  requirement raises an issue that calls for extensive thought,  that calls for extensive thought, including discussions with a lawyer,
316  including discussions with a lawyer, before we can decide if the  before we can decide if the requirement is acceptable.  When we reach
317  requirement is acceptable.  When we reach a conclusion about a new  a conclusion about a new issue, we often update these criteria to make
318  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.
319  certain licenses do or don't qualify.  </p>
320    
321  <P>  <p>
322    If you are interested in whether a specific license qualifies as a free
323  If you are interested in whether a specific license qualifies as a  software license, see our <a href="/licenses/license-list.html">list
324  free software license, see our <A  of licenses</a>.  If the license you are concerned with is not
325  HREF="/licenses/license-list.html">list of licenses</A>.  If the  listed there, you can ask us about it by sending us email at
326  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>.
327  about it by sending us email at <A  </p>
328  HREF="mailto:licensing@gnu.org">&lt;licensing@gnu.org&gt;</A>.  
329    <p>
330  <HR>  If you are contemplating writing a new license, please contact the
331    Free Software Foundation first by writing to that address. The
332  <H4><A HREF="/philosophy/philosophy.html">Other Texts to Read</A></H4>  proliferation of different free software licenses means increased work
333    for users in understanding the licenses; we may be able to help you
334  <P>  find an existing free software license that meets your needs.
335  Another group has started using the term "open source" to mean  </p>
336  something close (but not identical) to "free software".  We prefer the  
337  term "free software" because, once you have heard it refers to freedom  <p>
338  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
339  to mind freedom</A>.  help you can ensure that the license really is a free software license
340    and avoid various practical problems.
341  <HR>  </p>
342  [  
343  <!-- Please keep this list alphabetical -->  <h3 id="beyond-software">Beyond Software</h3>
344  <!-- PLEASE UPDATE THE LIST AT THE BOTTOM (OR TOP) OF THE PAGE TOO! -->  
345  <A HREF="/philosophy/free-sw.hr.html">Croatian</A>  <p>
346  | <A HREF="/philosophy/free-sw.cs.html">Czech</A>  <a href="/philosophy/free-doc.html">Software manuals must be free</a>,
347  | <A HREF="/philosophy/free-sw.da.html">Danish</A>  for the same reasons that software must be free, and because the
348  | <A HREF="/philosophy/free-sw.nl.html">Dutch</A>  manuals are in effect part of the software.
349  | <A HREF="/philosophy/free-sw.html">English</A>  </p>
350  | <A HREF="/philosophy/free-sw.fr.html">French</A>  
351  | <A HREF="/philosophy/free-sw.gl.html">Galician</A>  <p>
352  | <A HREF="/philosophy/free-sw.de.html">German</A>  The same arguments also make sense for other kinds of works of
353  | <A HREF="/philosophy/free-sw.hu.html">Hungarian</A>  practical use &mdash; that is to say, works that embody useful knowledge,
354  | <A HREF="/philosophy/free-sw.id.html">Indonesian</A>  such as educational works and reference
355  | <A HREF="/philosophy/free-sw.it.html">Italian</A>  works.  <a href="http://wikipedia.org">Wikipedia</a> is the best-known
356  | <A HREF="/philosophy/free-sw.ja.html">Japanese</A>  example.
357  | <A HREF="/philosophy/free-sw.ko.html">Korean</A>  </p>
358  | <A HREF="/philosophy/free-sw.no.html">Norwegian</A>  
359  | <A HREF="/philosophy/free-sw.pl.html">Polish</A>  <p>
360  | <A HREF="/philosophy/free-sw.pt.html">Portuguese</A>  Any kind of work <em>can</em> be free, and the definition of free software
361  | <A HREF="/philosophy/free-sw.ro.html">Romanian</A>  has been extended to a definition of <a href="http://freedomdefined.org/">
362  | <A HREF="/philosophy/free-sw.ru.html">Russian</A>  free cultural works</a> applicable to any kind of works.
363  | <A HREF="/philosophy/free-sw.sl.html">Slovenian</A>        </p>
364  | <A HREF="/philosophy/free-sw.es.html">Spanish</A>  
365  | <A HREF="/philosophy/free-sw.tr.html">Turkish</A>  <h3 id="open-source">Open Source?</h3>
366  <!-- Please keep this list alphabetical -->  
367  <!-- PLEASE UPDATE THE LIST AT THE BOTTOM (OR TOP) OF THE PAGE TOO! -->  <p>
368  ]  Another group has started using the term &ldquo;open source&rdquo; to mean
369  <P>  something close (but not identical) to &ldquo;free software&rdquo;.  We
370  Return to <A HREF="/home.html">GNU's home page</A>.  prefer the term &ldquo;free software&rdquo; because, once you have heard that
371  <P>  it refers to freedom rather than price, it calls to mind freedom.  The
372    word &ldquo;open&rdquo; <a href="/philosophy/open-source-misses-the-point.html">
373  Please send FSF &amp; GNU inquiries &amp; questions to  never refers to freedom</a>.
374    </p>
375  <A HREF="mailto:gnu@gnu.org"><EM>gnu@gnu.org</EM></A>.  
376  There are also <A HREF="/home.html#ContactInfo">other ways to  <h3 id="History">History</h3>
377  contact</A> the FSF.  
378  <P>  <p>From time to time we revise this Free Software Definition.  Here is
379    the list of substantive changes, along with links to show exactly what
380  Please send comments on these web pages to  was changed.</p>
381    
382  <A HREF="mailto:webmasters@gnu.org"><EM>webmasters@gnu.org</EM></A>,  <ul>
383  send other questions to  
384  <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=1.134&amp;r2=1.135">Version
385  <P>  1.135</a>: Say each time that freedom 0 is the freedom to run the program
386  Copyright (C) 1996, 1997, 1998, 1999, 2000, 2001, 2002, 2003, Free  as you wish.</li>
387  Software Foundation, Inc., 59 Temple Place - Suite 330, Boston, MA  
388  02111,  USA  <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
389  <P>  1.134</a>: Freedom 0 is not a matter of the program's functionality.</li>
390  Verbatim copying and distribution of this entire article is  
391  permitted in any medium, provided this notice is preserved.  <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
392  <P>  1.131</a>: A free license may not require compliance with a nonfree license
393  Updated:  of another program.</li>
394    
395    <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
396    1.129</a>: State explicitly that choice of law and choice of forum
397    specifications are allowed.  (This was always our policy.)</li>
398    
399    <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
400    1.122</a>: An export control requirement is a real problem if the
401    requirement is nontrivial; otherwise it is only a potential problem.</li>
402    
403    <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
404    1.118</a>: Clarification: the issue is limits on your right to modify,
405    not on what modifications you have made.  And modifications are not limited
406    to &ldquo;improvements&rdquo;</li>
407    
408    <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
409    1.111</a>: Clarify 1.77 by saying that only
410    retroactive <em>restrictions</em> are unacceptable.  The copyright
411    holders can always grant additional <em>permission</em> for use of the
412    work by releasing the work in another way in parallel.</li>
413    
414    <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
415    1.105</a>: Reflect, in the brief statement of freedom 1, the point
416    (already stated in version 1.80) that it includes really using your modified
417    version for your computing.</li>
418    
419    <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
420    1.92</a>: Clarify that obfuscated code does not qualify as source code.</li>
421    
422    <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
423    1.90</a>: Clarify that freedom 3 means the right to distribute copies
424    of your own modified or improved version, not a right to participate
425    in someone else's development project.</li>
426    
427    <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
428    1.89</a>: Freedom 3 includes the right to release modified versions as
429    free software.</li>
430    
431    <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
432    1.80</a>: Freedom 1 must be practical, not just theoretical;
433    i.e., no tivoization.</li>
434    
435    <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
436    1.77</a>: Clarify that all retroactive changes to the license are
437    unacceptable, even if it's not described as a complete
438    replacement.</li>
439    
440    <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
441    1.74</a>: Four clarifications of points not explicit enough, or stated
442    in some places but not reflected everywhere:
443    <ul>
444    <li>"Improvements" does not mean the license can
445    substantively limit what kinds of modified versions you can release.
446    Freedom 3 includes distributing modified versions, not just changes.</li>
447    <li>The right to merge in existing modules
448    refers to those that are suitably licensed.</li>
449    <li>Explicitly state the conclusion of the point about export controls.</li>
450    <li>Imposing a license change constitutes revoking the old license.</li>
451    </ul>
452    </li>
453    
454    <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
455    1.57</a>: Add &quot;Beyond Software&quot; section.</li>
456    
457    <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
458    1.46</a>: Clarify whose purpose is significant in the freedom to run
459    the program for any purpose.</li>
460    
461    <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
462    1.41</a>: Clarify wording about contract-based licenses.</li>
463    
464    <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
465    1.40</a>: Explain that a free license must allow to you use other
466    available free software to create your modifications.</li>
467    
468    <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
469    1.39</a>: Note that it is acceptable for a license to require you to
470    provide source for versions of the software you put into public
471    use.</li>
472    
473    <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
474    1.31</a>: Note that it is acceptable for a license to require you to
475    identify yourself as the author of modifications.  Other minor
476    clarifications throughout the text.</li>
477    
478    <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
479    1.23</a>: Address potential problems related to contract-based
480    licenses.</li>
481    
482    <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
483    1.16</a>: Explain why distribution of binaries is important.</li>
484    
485    <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
486    1.11</a>: Note that a free license may require you to send a copy of
487    versions you distribute to the author.</li>
488    
489    </ul>
490    
491    <p>There are gaps in the version numbers shown above because there are
492    other changes in this page that do not affect the definition or its
493    interpretations.  For instance, the list does not include changes in
494    asides, formatting, spelling, punctuation, or other parts of the page.
495    You can review the complete list of changes to the page through
496    the <a href="http://web.cvs.savannah.gnu.org/viewvc/www/philosophy/free-sw.html?root=www&amp;view=log">cvsweb
497    interface</a>.</p>
498    
499    
500    </div><!-- for id="content", starts in the include above -->
501    <!--#include virtual="/server/footer.html" -->
502    <div id="footer">
503    <div class="unprintable">
504    
505    <p>Please send general FSF &amp; GNU inquiries to
506    <a href="mailto:gnu@gnu.org">&lt;gnu@gnu.org&gt;</a>.
507    There are also <a href="/contact/">other ways to contact</a>
508    the FSF.  Broken links and other corrections or suggestions can be sent
509    to <a href="mailto:webmasters@gnu.org">&lt;webmasters@gnu.org&gt;</a>.</p>
510    
511    <p><!-- TRANSLATORS: Ignore the original text in this paragraph,
512            replace it with the translation of these two:
513    
514            We work hard and do our best to provide accurate, good quality
515            translations.  However, we are not exempt from imperfection.
516            Please send your comments and general suggestions in this regard
517            to <a href="mailto:web-translators@gnu.org">
518            &lt;web-translators@gnu.org&gt;</a>.</p>
519    
520            <p>For information on coordinating and submitting translations of
521            our web pages, see <a
522            href="/server/standards/README.translations.html">Translations
523            README</a>. -->
524    Please see the <a
525    href="/server/standards/README.translations.html">Translations
526    README</a> for information on coordinating and submitting translations
527    of this article.</p>
528    </div>
529    
530    <!-- Regarding copyright, in general, standalone pages (as opposed to
531         files generated as part of manuals) on the GNU web server should
532         be under CC BY-ND 3.0 US.  Please do NOT change or remove this
533         without talking with the webmasters or licensing team first.
534         Please make sure the copyright date is consistent with the
535         document.  For web pages, it is ok to list just the latest year the
536         document was modified, or published.
537        
538         If you wish to list earlier years, that is ok too.
539         Either "2001, 2002, 2003" or "2001-2003" are ok for specifying
540         years, as long as each year in the range is in fact a copyrightable
541         year, i.e., a year in which the document was published (including
542         being publicly visible on the web or in a revision control system).
543        
544         There is more detail about copyright years in the GNU Maintainers
545         Information document, www.gnu.org/prep/maintain. -->
546    
547    <p>Copyright &copy; 1996-2002, 2004-2007, 2009, 2010, 2012, 2013
548    Free Software Foundation, Inc.</p>
549    
550    <p>This page is licensed under a <a rel="license"
551    href="http://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-nd/3.0/us/">Creative
552    Commons Attribution-NoDerivs 3.0 United States License</a>.</p>
553    
554    <!--#include virtual="/server/bottom-notes.html" -->
555    
556    <p class="unprintable">Updated:
557  <!-- timestamp start -->  <!-- timestamp start -->
558  $Date$ $Author$  $Date$
559  <!-- timestamp end -->  <!-- timestamp end -->
560  <HR>  </p>
561  </BODY>  </div>
562  </HTML>  </div>
563    </body>
564    </html>
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