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# Line 12  Line 12 
12     WIDTH="160" HEIGHT="200"></A>     WIDTH="160" HEIGHT="200"></A>
13    
14  [  [
15    <A HREF="/philosophy/free-sw.nl.html">Dutch</A>  <!-- Please keep this list alphabetical -->
16    <!-- PLEASE UPDATE THE LIST AT THE BOTTOM (OR TOP) OF THE PAGE TOO! -->
17    <A HREF="/philosophy/free-sw.hr.html">Croatian</A>
18    | <A HREF="/philosophy/free-sw.cs.html">Czech</A>
19    | <A HREF="/philosophy/free-sw.da.html">Danish</A>
20    | <A HREF="/philosophy/free-sw.nl.html">Dutch</A>
21  | <A HREF="/philosophy/free-sw.html">English</A>  | <A HREF="/philosophy/free-sw.html">English</A>
22  | <A HREF="/philosophy/free-sw.fr.html">French</A>  | <A HREF="/philosophy/free-sw.fr.html">French</A>
23    | <A HREF="/philosophy/free-sw.gl.html">Galician</A>
24    | <A HREF="/philosophy/free-sw.de.html">German</A>
25    | <A HREF="/philosophy/free-sw.hu.html">Hungarian</A>
26    | <A HREF="/philosophy/free-sw.id.html">Indonesian</A>
27  | <A HREF="/philosophy/free-sw.it.html">Italian</A>  | <A HREF="/philosophy/free-sw.it.html">Italian</A>
28  | <A HREF="/philosophy/free-sw.ja.html">Japanese</A>  | <A HREF="/philosophy/free-sw.ja.html">Japanese</A>
29  | <A HREF="/philosophy/free-sw.ko.html">Korean</A>  | <A HREF="/philosophy/free-sw.ko.html">Korean</A>
30  | <A HREF="/philosophy/free-sw.no.html">Norwegian</A>  | <A HREF="/philosophy/free-sw.no.html">Norwegian</A>
31    | <A HREF="/philosophy/free-sw.pl.html">Polish</A>
32  | <A HREF="/philosophy/free-sw.pt.html">Portuguese</A>  | <A HREF="/philosophy/free-sw.pt.html">Portuguese</A>
33    | <A HREF="/philosophy/free-sw.ro.html">Romanian</A>
34  | <A HREF="/philosophy/free-sw.ru.html">Russian</A>  | <A HREF="/philosophy/free-sw.ru.html">Russian</A>
35    | <A HREF="/philosophy/free-sw.sl.html">Slovenian</A>
36  | <A HREF="/philosophy/free-sw.es.html">Spanish</A>  | <A HREF="/philosophy/free-sw.es.html">Spanish</A>
37    | <A HREF="/philosophy/free-sw.sv.html">Swedish</A>  
38  | <A HREF="/philosophy/free-sw.tr.html">Turkish</A>  | <A HREF="/philosophy/free-sw.tr.html">Turkish</A>
39    <!-- Please keep this list alphabetical -->
40    <!-- PLEASE UPDATE THE LIST AT THE BOTTOM (OR TOP) OF THE PAGE TOO! -->
41  ]  ]
42  <P>  <P>
43    
44  We maintain this free software definition to show clearly what must be  We maintain this free software definition to show clearly what must be
45  true about a particular software program for it to be considered  true about a particular software program for it to be considered
46  ``free software''.  free software.
47    
48  <P>  <P>
49    
50  ``Free software'' is a matter of liberty, not price.  To understand  ``Free software'' is a matter of liberty, not price.  To understand the
51  the concept, you should think of ``free speech'', not ``free beer.''  concept, you should think of ``free'' as in ``free speech,'' not as in
52    ``free beer.''
53  <P>  <P>
54  ``Free software'' refers to the users' freedom to run, copy,  Free software is a matter of the users' freedom to run, copy,
55  distribute, study, change and improve the software.  More precisely,  distribute, study, change and improve the software.  More precisely,
56  it refers to four kinds of freedom, for the users of the software:  it refers to four kinds of freedom, for the users of the software:
57  <P>  <P>
# Line 47  it refers to four kinds of freedom, for Line 63  it refers to four kinds of freedom, for
63    <LI>The freedom to redistribute copies so you can help your neighbor    <LI>The freedom to redistribute copies so you can help your neighbor
64        (freedom 2).        (freedom 2).
65    <LI>The freedom to improve the program, and release your improvements    <LI>The freedom to improve the program, and release your improvements
66       to the public, so that the whole community benefits.       to the public, so that the whole community benefits
67        (freedom 3).   Access to the source code is a precondition for this.        (freedom 3).   Access to the source code is a precondition for this.
68  </UL>  </UL>
69    
# Line 73  with the developer or any other specific Line 89  with the developer or any other specific
89    
90  <P>  <P>
91  The freedom to redistribute copies must include binary or executable  The freedom to redistribute copies must include binary or executable
92  forms of the program, as well as source code.  (It is ok if there is  forms of the program, as well as source code, for both modified and
93  no way to produce a binary or executable form, but people must have  unmodified versions.  (Distributing programs in runnable form is
94  the freedom to redistribute such forms should they find a way to make  necessary for conveniently installable free operating systems.)  It is
95  them.)  ok if there is no way to produce a binary or executable form for a
96    certain program (since some languages don't support that feature), but
97    you must have the freedom to redistribute such forms should you find
98    or develop a way to make them.
99    
100  <P>  <P>
101  In order for the freedoms to make changes, and to publish improved  In order for the freedoms to make changes, and to publish improved
# Line 99  other people the central freedoms.  This Line 118  other people the central freedoms.  This
118  the central freedoms; rather it protects them.  the central freedoms; rather it protects them.
119    
120  <P>  <P>
121  Thus, you may have paid money to get copies of GNU software, or you  Thus, you may have paid money to get copies of free software, or you
122  may have obtained copies at no charge.  But regardless of how you got  may have obtained copies at no charge.  But regardless of how you got
123  your copies, you always have the freedom to copy and change the  your copies, you always have the freedom to copy and change the
124  software, even to <A HREF="/philosophy/selling.html">sell copies</A>.  software, even to <A HREF="/philosophy/selling.html">sell copies</A>.
   
125  <P>  <P>
126    
127  ``Free software'' does not mean ``non-commercial''.  A free program  ``Free software'' does not mean ``non-commercial''.  A free program
128  must be available for commercial use.  Commercial development of free  must be available for commercial use, commercial development, and
129  software is no longer unusual; such programs are free commercial  commercial distribution.  Commercial development of free software is
130  software.  no longer unusual; such free commercial software is very important.
131    
132  <P>  <P>
133  Rules about how to package a modified version are acceptable, if they  Rules about how to package a modified version are acceptable, if they
# Line 116  don't effectively block your freedom to Line 135  don't effectively block your freedom to
135  Rules that ``if you make the program available in this way, you must  Rules that ``if you make the program available in this way, you must
136  make it available in that way also'' can be acceptable too, on the  make it available in that way also'' can be acceptable too, on the
137  same condition.  (Note that such a rule still leaves you the choice of  same condition.  (Note that such a rule still leaves you the choice of
138  whether to publish the program or not.)  whether to publish the program or not.)  It is also acceptable for the
139    license to require that, if you have distributed a modified version
140    and a previous developer asks for a copy of it, you must send one.
141    
142  <P>  <P>
143  In the GNU project, we use <A HREF="/copyleft/copyleft.html">  In the GNU project, we use <A HREF="/copyleft/copyleft.html">
# Line 143  use of the program.  In this way, the re Line 164  use of the program.  In this way, the re
164  activities and people outside the jurisdictions of these governments.  activities and people outside the jurisdictions of these governments.
165    
166  <P>  <P>
167    Most free software licenses are based on copyright, and there are
168    limits on what kinds of requirements can be imposed through copyright.
169    If a copyright-based license respects freedom in the ways described
170    above, it is unlikely to have some other sort of problem that we never
171    anticipated (though this does happen occasionally).  However, some
172    free software licenses are based on contracts, and contracts can
173    impose a much larger range of possible restrictions.  That means there
174    are many possible ways such a license could be unacceptably
175    restrictive and non-free.
176    <P>
177    We can't possibly list all the possible contract restrictions that
178    would be unacceptable.  If a contract-based license restricts the user
179    in an unusual way that copyright-based licenses cannot, and which
180    isn't mentioned here as legitimate, we will have to think about it,
181    and we will probably decide it is non-free.
182    <P>
183  When talking about free software, it is best to avoid using terms like  When talking about free software, it is best to avoid using terms like
184  ``give away'' or ``for free'', because those terms imply that the  ``give away'' or ``for free'', because those terms imply that the
185  issue is about price, not freedom.  Some common terms such as  issue is about price, not freedom.  Some common terms such as
# Line 161  software license, we judge it based on t Line 198  software license, we judge it based on t
198  whether it fits their spirit as well as the precise words.  If a  whether it fits their spirit as well as the precise words.  If a
199  license includes unconscionable restrictions, we reject it, even if we  license includes unconscionable restrictions, we reject it, even if we
200  did not anticipate the issue in these criteria.  Sometimes a license  did not anticipate the issue in these criteria.  Sometimes a license
201  requirement raises an issue that calls for extensive thought before we  requirement raises an issue that calls for extensive thought,
202  can decide if the requirement is acceptable, including discussions  including discussions with a lawyer, before we can decide if the
203  with a lawyer.  When we reach a conclusion, we sometimes update these  requirement is acceptable.  When we reach a conclusion about a new
204  criteria to make it easier to see why certain licenses do or don't  issue, we often update these criteria to make it easier to see why
205  qualify.  certain licenses do or don't qualify.
206    
207  <P>  <P>
208    
209  If you are interested in whether a specific license qualifies as a  If you are interested in whether a specific license qualifies as a
210  free software license, see our <A  free software license, see our <A
211  HREF="/philosophy/license-list.html"> list of licenses </A>.  If the  HREF="/licenses/license-list.html">list of licenses</A>.  If the
212  license you are concerned with is not listed there, you can ask us  license you are concerned with is not listed there, you can ask us
213  about it by sending us email at <A  about it by sending us email at <A
214  HREF="mailto:licensing@gnu.org">&lt;licensing@gnu.org&gt;</A>.  HREF="mailto:licensing@gnu.org">&lt;licensing@gnu.org&gt;</A>.
# Line 181  HREF="mailto:licensing@gnu.org">&lt;lice Line 218  HREF="mailto:licensing@gnu.org">&lt;lice
218  <H4><A HREF="/philosophy/philosophy.html">Other Texts to Read</A></H4>  <H4><A HREF="/philosophy/philosophy.html">Other Texts to Read</A></H4>
219    
220  <P>  <P>
221  Another group has started using the term <A  Another group has started using the term "open source" to mean
222  HREF="free-software-for-freedom.html"> open source</A> to mean  something close (but not identical) to "free software".  We prefer the
223  something close (but not identical) to "free software".  term "free software" because, once you have heard it refers to freedom
224    rather than price, <A HREF="free-software-for-freedom.html">it calls
225    to mind freedom</A>.
226    
227  <HR>  <HR>
228    [
229    <!-- Please keep this list alphabetical -->
230    <!-- PLEASE UPDATE THE LIST AT THE BOTTOM (OR TOP) OF THE PAGE TOO! -->
231    <A HREF="/philosophy/free-sw.hr.html">Croatian</A>
232    | <A HREF="/philosophy/free-sw.cs.html">Czech</A>
233    | <A HREF="/philosophy/free-sw.da.html">Danish</A>
234    | <A HREF="/philosophy/free-sw.nl.html">Dutch</A>
235    | <A HREF="/philosophy/free-sw.html">English</A>
236    | <A HREF="/philosophy/free-sw.fr.html">French</A>
237    | <A HREF="/philosophy/free-sw.gl.html">Galician</A>
238    | <A HREF="/philosophy/free-sw.de.html">German</A>
239    | <A HREF="/philosophy/free-sw.hu.html">Hungarian</A>
240    | <A HREF="/philosophy/free-sw.id.html">Indonesian</A>
241    | <A HREF="/philosophy/free-sw.it.html">Italian</A>
242    | <A HREF="/philosophy/free-sw.ja.html">Japanese</A>
243    | <A HREF="/philosophy/free-sw.ko.html">Korean</A>
244    | <A HREF="/philosophy/free-sw.no.html">Norwegian</A>
245    | <A HREF="/philosophy/free-sw.pl.html">Polish</A>
246    | <A HREF="/philosophy/free-sw.pt.html">Portuguese</A>
247    | <A HREF="/philosophy/free-sw.ro.html">Romanian</A>
248    | <A HREF="/philosophy/free-sw.ru.html">Russian</A>
249    | <A HREF="/philosophy/free-sw.sl.html">Slovenian</A>      
250    | <A HREF="/philosophy/free-sw.es.html">Spanish</A>
251    | <A HREF="/philosophy/free-sw.tr.html">Turkish</A>
252    <!-- Please keep this list alphabetical -->
253    <!-- PLEASE UPDATE THE LIST AT THE BOTTOM (OR TOP) OF THE PAGE TOO! -->
254    ]
255    <P>
256  Return to <A HREF="/home.html">GNU's home page</A>.  Return to <A HREF="/home.html">GNU's home page</A>.
257  <P>  <P>
258  FSF &amp; GNU inquiries &amp; questions to  
259    Please send FSF &amp; GNU inquiries &amp; questions to
260    
261  <A HREF="mailto:gnu@gnu.org"><EM>gnu@gnu.org</EM></A>.  <A HREF="mailto:gnu@gnu.org"><EM>gnu@gnu.org</EM></A>.
262  Other <A HREF="/home.html#ContactInfo">ways to contact</A> the FSF.  There are also <A HREF="/home.html#ContactInfo">other ways to
263    contact</A> the FSF.
264  <P>  <P>
265  Comments on these web pages to  
266  <A HREF="mailto:webmasters@www.gnu.org"><EM>webmasters@www.gnu.org</EM></A>,  Please send comments on these web pages to
267    
268    <A HREF="mailto:webmasters@gnu.org"><EM>webmasters@gnu.org</EM></A>,
269  send other questions to  send other questions to
270  <A HREF="mailto:gnu@gnu.org"><EM>gnu@gnu.org</EM></A>.  <A HREF="mailto:gnu@gnu.org"><EM>gnu@gnu.org</EM></A>.
271  <P>  <P>
272  Copyright (C) 1996, 1997, 1998, 1999, 2000, 2001 Free Software Foundation, Inc.,  Copyright (C) 1996, 1997, 1998, 1999, 2000, 2001, 2002, 2003, Free
273  59 Temple Place - Suite 330, Boston, MA  02111,  USA  Software Foundation, Inc., 59 Temple Place - Suite 330, Boston, MA
274    02111,  USA
275  <P>  <P>
276  Verbatim copying and distribution of this entire article is  Verbatim copying and distribution of this entire article is
277  permitted in any medium, provided this notice is preserved.<P>  permitted in any medium, provided this notice is preserved.
278    <P>
279  Updated:  Updated:
280  <!-- hhmts start -->  <!-- timestamp start -->
281  21 Feb 2001 bkuhn  $Date$ $Author$
282  <!-- hhmts end -->  <!-- timestamp end -->
283  <HR>  <HR>
284  </BODY>  </BODY>
285  </HTML>  </HTML>
286    
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