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 <H3>The Free Software Definition</H3>  
   
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2    
3  We maintain this free software definition to show clearly what must be  <title>The Free Software Definition - GNU Project - Free Software Foundation (FSF)</title>
4  true about a particular software program for it to be considered  
5  free software.  <meta http-equiv="Keywords" content="GNU, FSF, Free Software Foundation, Linux, Emacs, GCC, Unix, Free Software, Operating System, GNU Kernel, HURD, GNU HURD, Hurd" />
6    <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." />
7    <link rel="alternate" title="What's New" href="http://www.gnu.org/rss/whatsnew.rss" type="application/rss+xml" />
8    <link rel="alternate" title="New Free Software" href="http://www.gnu.org/rss/quagga.rss" type="application/rss+xml" />
9    
10    <!--#include virtual="/server/banner.html" -->
11    
12  <P>  <h2>The Free Software Definition</h2>
13    
14  ``Free software'' is a matter of liberty, not price.  To understand the  <p>
15  concept, you should think of ``free'' as in ``free speech,'' not as in  We maintain this free software definition to show clearly what must be
16  ``free beer.''  true about a particular software program for it to be considered free
17  <P>  software.  From time to time we revise this definition to clarify it.
18  Free software is a matter of the users' freedom to run, copy,  If you would like to review the changes we've made, please see
19  distribute, study, change and improve the software.  More precisely,  the <a href="#History">History section</a> below for more information.
20  it refers to four kinds of freedom, for the users of the software:  </p>
21  <P>  
22    <p>
23  <UL>  &ldquo;Free software&rdquo; is a matter of liberty, not price.  To understand
24    <LI>The freedom to run the program, for any purpose (freedom 0).  the concept, you should think of &ldquo;free&rdquo; as in &ldquo;free speech,&rdquo;
25    <LI>The freedom to study how the program works, and adapt it to your needs  not as in &ldquo;free beer.&rdquo;
26        (freedom 1).   Access to the source code is a precondition for this.  </p>
27    <LI>The freedom to redistribute copies so you can help your neighbor  
28    <p>
29    Free software is a matter of the users' freedom to run, copy, distribute,
30    study, change and improve the software.  More precisely, it means that the
31    program's users have the four essential freedoms:
32    </p>
33    
34    <ul>
35      <li>The freedom to run the program, for any purpose (freedom 0).</li>
36      <li>The freedom to study how the program works, and change it to make
37          it do what you wish (freedom 1). Access to the source code is a
38          precondition for this.
39      </li>
40      <li>The freedom to redistribute copies so you can help your neighbor
41        (freedom 2).        (freedom 2).
42    <LI>The freedom to improve the program, and release your improvements    </li>
43       to the public, so that the whole community benefits    <li>The freedom to distribute copies of your modified versions
44        (freedom 3).   Access to the source code is a precondition for this.        to others (freedom 3).  By doing this you can give the whole
45  </UL>        community a chance to benefit from your changes.
46          Access to the source code is a precondition for this.
47  <P>    </li>
48  A program is free software if users have all of these freedoms.  </ul>
49  Thus, you should be free to redistribute copies, either with or  
50  without modifications, either gratis or charging a fee for  <p>
51  distribution, to <A HREF="#exportcontrol">anyone anywhere</A>.  Being  A program is free software if users have all of these freedoms.  Thus,
52  free to do these things means (among other things) that you do not  you should be free to redistribute copies, either with or without
53  have to ask or pay for permission.  modifications, either gratis or charging a fee for distribution, to
54    <a href="#exportcontrol">anyone anywhere</a>.  Being free to do these
55    things means (among other things) that you do not have to ask or pay
56    for permission to do so.
57    </p>
58    
59  <P>  <p>
60  You should also have the freedom to make modifications and use them  You should also have the freedom to make modifications and use them
61  privately in your own work or play, without even mentioning that they  privately in your own work or play, without even mentioning that they
62  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
63  notify anyone in particular, or in any particular way.  notify anyone in particular, or in any particular way.
64    </p>
65    
66  <P>  <p>
67  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
68  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
69  of overall job, and without being required to communicate subsequently  overall job and purpose, without being required to communicate about it
70  with the developer or any other specific entity.  with the developer or any other specific entity.  In this freedom, it is
71    the <em>user's</em> purpose that matters, not the <em>developer's</em>
72    purpose; you as a user are free to run the program for your purposes,
73    and if you distribute it to someone else, she is then free to run it
74    for her purposes, but you are not entitled to impose your purposes on her.
75    </p>
76    
77  <P>  <p>
78  The freedom to redistribute copies must include binary or executable  The freedom to redistribute copies must include binary or executable
79  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
80  unmodified versions.  (Distributing programs in runnable form is  unmodified versions.  (Distributing programs in runnable form is necessary
81  necessary for conveniently installable free operating systems.)  It is  for conveniently installable free operating systems.)  It is OK if there
82  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
83  certain program (since some languages don't support that feature), but  (since some languages don't support that feature), but you must have the
84  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
85  or develop a way to make them.  make them.
86    </p>
87  <P>  
88  In order for the freedoms to make changes, and to publish improved  <p>
89  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
90  the program.  Therefore, accessibility of source code is a necessary  freedom to publish improved versions) to be meaningful, you must have
91  condition for free software.  access to the source code of the program.  Therefore, accessibility of
92    source code is a necessary condition for free software.  Obfuscated
93  <P>  &ldquo;source code&rdquo; is not real source code and does not count
94  In order for these freedoms to be real, they must be irrevocable as  as source code.
95  long as you do nothing wrong; if the developer of the software has the  </p>
96  power to revoke the license, without your doing anything to give  
97  cause, the software is not free.  <p>
98    Freedom 1 includes the freedom to use your changed version in place of
99    the original.  If the program is delivered in a product designed to
100    run someone else's modified versions but refuse to run yours &mdash;
101    a practice known as &ldquo;tivoization&rdquo; or (through
102    blacklisting) as &ldquo;secure boot&rdquo; &mdash; freedom 1 becomes a
103    theoretical fiction rather than a practical freedom.  This is not
104    sufficient.  In other words, these binaries are not free software
105    even if the source code they are compiled from is free.
106    </p>
107    
108    <p>
109    One important way to modify a program is by merging in available free
110    subroutines and modules.  If the program's license says that you
111    cannot merge in a suitably licensed existing module &mdash; for instance, if it
112    requires you to be the copyright holder of any code you add &mdash; then the
113    license is too restrictive to qualify as free.
114    </p>
115    
116    <p>
117    Freedom 3 includes the freedom to release your modified versions
118    as free software.  A free license may also permit other ways of
119    releasing them; in other words, it does not have to be
120    a <a href="/copyleft/copyleft.html">copyleft</a> license.  However, a
121    license that requires modified versions to be nonfree does not qualify
122    as a free license.
123    </p>
124    
125    <p>
126    In order for these freedoms to be real, they must be permanent and
127    irrevocable as long as you do nothing wrong; if the developer of the
128    software has the power to revoke the license, or retroactively change
129    its terms, without your doing anything wrong to give cause, the
130    software is not free.
131    </p>
132    
133  <P>  <p>
134  However, certain kinds of rules about the manner of distributing free  However, certain kinds of rules about the manner of distributing free
135  software are acceptable, when they don't conflict with the central  software are acceptable, when they don't conflict with the central
136  freedoms.  For example, copyleft (very simply stated) is the rule that  freedoms.  For example, copyleft (very simply stated) is the rule that
137  when redistributing the program, you cannot add restrictions to deny  when redistributing the program, you cannot add restrictions to deny
138  other people the central freedoms.  This rule does not conflict with  other people the central freedoms.  This rule does not conflict with
139  the central freedoms; rather it protects them.  the central freedoms; rather it protects them.
140    </p>
141    
142  <P>  <p>
143  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
144  may have obtained copies at no charge.  But regardless of how you got  program must be available for commercial use, commercial development,
145  your copies, you always have the freedom to copy and change the  and commercial distribution.  Commercial development of free software
146  software, even to <A HREF="/philosophy/selling.html">sell copies</A>.  is no longer unusual; such free commercial software is very important.
147  <P>  You may have paid money to get copies of free software, or you may have
148    obtained copies at no charge.  But regardless of how you got your copies,
149  ``Free software'' does not mean ``non-commercial''.  A free program  you always have the freedom to copy and change the software, even to
150  must be available for commercial use, commercial development, and  <a href="/philosophy/selling.html">sell copies</a>.
151  commercial distribution.  Commercial development of free software is  </p>
152  no longer unusual; such free commercial software is very important.  
153    <p>
154  <P>  Whether a change constitutes an improvement is a subjective matter.
155  Rules about how to package a modified version are acceptable, if they  If your modifications are limited, in substance, to changes that
156  don't effectively block your freedom to release modified versions.  someone else considers an improvement, that is not freedom.
157  Rules that ``if you make the program available in this way, you must  </p>
158  make it available in that way also'' can be acceptable too, on the  
159  same condition.  (Note that such a rule still leaves you the choice of  <p>
160  whether to publish the program or not.)  It is also acceptable for the  However, rules about how to package a modified version are acceptable,
161  license to require that, if you have distributed a modified version  if they don't substantively limit your freedom to release modified
162  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.
163    Thus, it is acceptable for the license to require that you change the
164  <P>  name of the modified version, remove a logo, or identify your
165  In the GNU project, we use <A HREF="/copyleft/copyleft.html">  modifications as yours.  As long as these requirements are not so
166  ``copyleft''</A> to protect these freedoms legally for everyone.  But  burdensome that they effectively hamper you from releasing your
167  <A HREF="/philosophy/categories.html#Non-CopyleftedFreeSoftware">  changes, they are acceptable; you're already making other changes to
168  non-copylefted free software</A> also exists.  We believe there are  the program, so you won't have trouble making a few more.
169  important reasons why <A HREF="/philosophy/pragmatic.html"> it is  </p>
170  better to use copyleft</A>, but if your program is non-copylefted free  
171  software, we can still use it.  <p>
172    Rules that &ldquo;if you make your version available in this way, you
173  <P>  must make it available in that way also&rdquo; can be acceptable too,
174  See <A HREF="/philosophy/categories.html">Categories of Free Software  on the same condition.  An example of such an acceptable rule is one
175         (18k characters)</A>  saying that if you have distributed a
176  for a description of how ``free software,'' ``copylefted software'' and  modified version and a previous developer asks for a copy of it, you
177  other categories of software relate to each other.  must send one.  (Note that such a rule still leaves you the choice of
178    whether to distribute your version at all.)  Rules that require release
179  <P>  of source code to the users for versions that you put into public use
180  Sometimes government <A NAME="exportcontrol">export control  are also acceptable.
181  regulations</A> and trade sanctions can constrain your freedom to  </p>
182  distribute copies of programs internationally.  Software developers do  
183  not have the power to eliminate or override these restrictions, but  <p>
184  what they can and must do is refuse to impose them as conditions of  In the GNU project, we use
185  use of the program.  In this way, the restrictions will not affect  <a href="/copyleft/copyleft.html">copyleft</a>
186  activities and people outside the jurisdictions of these governments.  to protect these freedoms legally for everyone.  But
187    <a href="/philosophy/categories.html#Non-CopyleftedFreeSoftware">noncopylefted
188  <P>  free software</a> also exists.  We believe there are important reasons why
189  Most free software licenses are based on copyright, and there are  <a href="/philosophy/pragmatic.html">it is better to use copyleft</a>,
190  limits on what kinds of requirements can be imposed through copyright.  but if your program is noncopylefted free software, it is still basically
191  If a copyright-based license respects freedom in the ways described  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.)
192  above, it is unlikely to have some other sort of problem that we never  </p>
193  anticipated (though this does happen occasionally).  However, some  
194  free software licenses are based on contracts, and contracts can  <p>
195  impose a much larger range of possible restrictions.  That means there  Sometimes government <a id="exportcontrol">export control regulations</a>
196  are many possible ways such a license could be unacceptably  and trade sanctions can constrain your freedom to distribute copies of
197  restrictive and non-free.  programs internationally.  Software developers do not have the power to
198  <P>  eliminate or override these restrictions, but what they can and must do
199  We can't possibly list all the possible contract restrictions that  is refuse to impose them as conditions of use of the program.  In this
200  would be unacceptable.  If a contract-based license restricts the user  way, the restrictions will not affect activities and people outside the
201  in an unusual way that copyright-based licenses cannot, and which  jurisdictions of these governments.  Thus, free software licenses
202  isn't mentioned here as legitimate, we will have to think about it,  must not require obedience to any export regulations as a condition of
203  and we will probably decide it is non-free.  any of the essential freedoms.
204  <P>  </p>
205  When talking about free software, it is best to avoid using terms like  
206  ``give away'' or ``for free'', because those terms imply that the  <p>
207  issue is about price, not freedom.  Some common terms such as  Most free software licenses are based on copyright, and there are limits
208  ``piracy'' embody opinions we hope you won't endorse.  See <A  on what kinds of requirements can be imposed through copyright.  If a
209  HREF="/philosophy/words-to-avoid.html">Confusing Words and Phrases  copyright-based license respects freedom in the ways described above, it
210  that are Worth Avoiding</A> for a discussion of these terms.  is unlikely to have some other sort of problem that we never anticipated
211  We also have a list of <A HREF="/philosophy/fs-translations.html">translations  (though this does happen occasionally).  However, some free software
212  of "free software"</A> into various languages.  licenses are based on contracts, and contracts can impose a much larger
213    range of possible restrictions.  That means there are many possible ways
214  <P>  such a license could be unacceptably restrictive and nonfree.
215    </p>
216    
217    <p>
218    We can't possibly list all the ways that might happen.  If a
219    contract-based license restricts the user in an unusual way that
220    copyright-based licenses cannot, and which isn't mentioned here as
221    legitimate, we will have to think about it, and we will probably conclude
222    it is nonfree.
223    </p>
224    
225    <p>
226    When talking about free software, it is best to avoid using terms
227    like &ldquo;give away&rdquo; or &ldquo;for free,&rdquo; because those terms imply that
228    the issue is about price, not freedom.  Some common terms such
229    as &ldquo;piracy&rdquo; embody opinions we hope you won't endorse.  See
230    <a href="/philosophy/words-to-avoid.html">Confusing Words and Phrases that
231    are Worth Avoiding</a> for a discussion of these terms.  We also have
232    a list of proper <a href="/philosophy/fs-translations.html">translations of
233    &ldquo;free software&rdquo;</a> into various languages.
234    </p>
235    
236    <p>
237  Finally, note that criteria such as those stated in this free software  Finally, note that criteria such as those stated in this free software
238  definition require careful thought for their interpretation.  To  definition require careful thought for their interpretation.  To decide
239  decide whether a specific software license qualifies as a free  whether a specific software license qualifies as a free software license,
240  software license, we judge it based on these criteria to determine  we judge it based on these criteria to determine whether it fits their
241  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
242  license includes unconscionable restrictions, we reject it, even if we  restrictions, we reject it, even if we did not anticipate the issue
243  did not anticipate the issue in these criteria.  Sometimes a license  in these criteria.  Sometimes a license requirement raises an issue
244  requirement raises an issue that calls for extensive thought,  that calls for extensive thought, including discussions with a lawyer,
245  including discussions with a lawyer, before we can decide if the  before we can decide if the requirement is acceptable.  When we reach
246  requirement is acceptable.  When we reach a conclusion about a new  a conclusion about a new issue, we often update these criteria to make
247  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.
248  certain licenses do or don't qualify.  </p>
249    
250  <P>  <p>
251    If you are interested in whether a specific license qualifies as a free
252  If you are interested in whether a specific license qualifies as a  software license, see our <a href="/licenses/license-list.html">list
253  free software license, see our <A  of licenses</a>.  If the license you are concerned with is not
254  HREF="/licenses/license-list.html">list of licenses</A>.  If the  listed there, you can ask us about it by sending us email at
255  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>.
256  about it by sending us email at <A  </p>
257  HREF="mailto:licensing@gnu.org">&lt;licensing@gnu.org&gt;</A>.  
258    <p>
259  <HR>  If you are contemplating writing a new license, please contact the
260    Free Software Foundation first by writing to that address. The
261  <H4><A HREF="/philosophy/philosophy.html">Other Texts to Read</A></H4>  proliferation of different free software licenses means increased work
262    for users in understanding the licenses; we may be able to help you
263  <P>  find an existing free software license that meets your needs.
264  Another group has started using the term "open source" to mean  </p>
265  something close (but not identical) to "free software".  We prefer the  
266  term "free software" because, once you have heard it refers to freedom  <p>
267  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
268  to mind freedom</A>.  help you can ensure that the license really is a free software license
269    and avoid various practical problems.
270  <HR>  </p>
271  [  
272  <!-- Please keep this list alphabetical -->  <h2 id="beyond-software">Beyond Software</h2>
273  <!-- PLEASE UPDATE THE LIST AT THE BOTTOM (OR TOP) OF THE PAGE TOO! -->  
274  <A HREF="/philosophy/free-sw.hr.html">Croatian</A>  <p>
275  | <A HREF="/philosophy/free-sw.cs.html">Czech</A>  <a href="/philosophy/free-doc.html">Software manuals must be free</a>,
276  | <A HREF="/philosophy/free-sw.da.html">Danish</A>  for the same reasons that software must be free, and because the
277  | <A HREF="/philosophy/free-sw.nl.html">Dutch</A>  manuals are in effect part of the software.
278  | <A HREF="/philosophy/free-sw.html">English</A>  </p>
279  | <A HREF="/philosophy/free-sw.fr.html">French</A>  
280  | <A HREF="/philosophy/free-sw.gl.html">Galician</A>  <p>
281  | <A HREF="/philosophy/free-sw.de.html">German</A>  The same arguments also make sense for other kinds of works of
282  | <A HREF="/philosophy/free-sw.hu.html">Hungarian</A>  practical use &mdash; that is to say, works that embody useful knowledge,
283  | <A HREF="/philosophy/free-sw.id.html">Indonesian</A>  such as educational works and reference
284  | <A HREF="/philosophy/free-sw.it.html">Italian</A>  works.  <a href="http://wikipedia.org">Wikipedia</a> is the best known
285  | <A HREF="/philosophy/free-sw.ja.html">Japanese</A>  example.
286  | <A HREF="/philosophy/free-sw.ko.html">Korean</A>  </p>
287  | <A HREF="/philosophy/free-sw.no.html">Norwegian</A>  
288  | <A HREF="/philosophy/free-sw.pl.html">Polish</A>  <p>
289  | <A HREF="/philosophy/free-sw.pt.html">Portuguese</A>  Any kind of work <em>can</em> be free, and the definition of free software
290  | <A HREF="/philosophy/free-sw.ro.html">Romanian</A>  has been extended to a definition of <a href="http://freedomdefined.org/">
291  | <A HREF="/philosophy/free-sw.ru.html">Russian</A>  free cultural works</a> applicable to any kind of works.
292  | <A HREF="/philosophy/free-sw.sl.html">Slovenian</A>        </p>
293  | <A HREF="/philosophy/free-sw.es.html">Spanish</A>  
294  | <A HREF="/philosophy/free-sw.tr.html">Turkish</A>  <h2 id="open-source">Open Source?</h2>
295  <!-- Please keep this list alphabetical -->  
296  <!-- PLEASE UPDATE THE LIST AT THE BOTTOM (OR TOP) OF THE PAGE TOO! -->  <p>
297  ]  Another group has started using the term &ldquo;open source&rdquo; to mean
298  <P>  something close (but not identical) to &ldquo;free software.&rdquo;  We
299  Return to <A HREF="/home.html">GNU's home page</A>.  prefer the term &ldquo;free software&rdquo; because, once you have heard that
300  <P>  it refers to freedom rather than price, it calls to mind freedom.  The
301    word &ldquo;open&rdquo; <a href="/philosophy/open-source-misses-the-point.html">
302  Please send FSF &amp; GNU inquiries &amp; questions to  never refers to freedom</a>.
303    </p>
304  <A HREF="mailto:gnu@gnu.org"><EM>gnu@gnu.org</EM></A>.  
305  There are also <A HREF="/home.html#ContactInfo">other ways to  <h2 id="History">History</h2>
306  contact</A> the FSF.  
307  <P>  <p>From time to time we revise this Free Software Definition to
308    clarify it.  Here we provide a list of those modifications, along with
309  Please send comments on these web pages to  links to illustrate exactly what changed, so that others can review
310    them if they like.</p>
311  <A HREF="mailto:webmasters@gnu.org"><EM>webmasters@gnu.org</EM></A>,  
312  send other questions to  <ul>
313  <A HREF="mailto:gnu@gnu.org"><EM>gnu@gnu.org</EM></A>.  
314  <P>  <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
315  Copyright (C) 1996, 1997, 1998, 1999, 2000, 2001, 2002, 2003, Free  1.92</a>: Clarify that obfuscated code does not qualify as source code.</li>
316  Software Foundation, Inc., 59 Temple Place - Suite 330, Boston, MA  
317  02111,  USA  <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
318  <P>  1.90</a>: Clarify that freedom 3 means the right to distribute copies
319  Verbatim copying and distribution of this entire article is  of your own modified or improved version, not a right to participate
320  permitted in any medium, provided this notice is preserved.  in someone else's development project.</li>
321  <P>  
322    <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
323    1.89</a>: Freedom 3 includes the right to release modified versions as
324    free software.</li>
325    
326    <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
327    1.80</a>: Freedom 1 must be practical, not just theoretical;
328    i.e., no tivoization.</li>
329    
330    <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
331    1.77</a>: Clarify that all retroactive changes to the license are
332    unacceptable, even if it's not described as a complete
333    replacement.</li>
334    
335    <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
336    1.74</a>: Four clarifications of points not explicit enough, or stated
337    in some places but not reflected everywhere:
338    <ul>
339    <li>"Improvements" does not mean the license can
340    substantively limit what kinds of modified versions you can release.
341    Freedom 3 includes distributing modified versions, not just changes.</li>
342    <li>The right to merge in existing modules
343    refers to those that are suitably licensed.</li>
344    <li>Explicitly state the conclusion of the point about export controls.</li>
345    <li>Imposing a license change constitutes revoking the old license.</li>
346    </ul>
347    </li>
348    
349    <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
350    1.57</a>: Add &quot;Beyond Software&quot; section.</li>
351    
352    <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
353    1.46</a>: Clarify whose purpose is significant in the freedom to run
354    the program for any purpose.</li>
355    
356    <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
357    1.41</a>: Clarify wording about contract-based licenses.</li>
358    
359    <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
360    1.40</a>: Explain that a free license must allow to you use other
361    available free software to create your modifications.</li>
362    
363    <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
364    1.39</a>: Note that it is acceptable for a license to require you to
365    provide source for versions of the software you put into public
366    use.</li>
367    
368    <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
369    1.31</a>: Note that it is acceptable for a license to require you to
370    identify yourself as the author of modifications.  Other minor
371    clarifications throughout the text.</li>
372    
373    <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
374    1.23</a>: Address potential problems related to contract-based
375    licenses.</li>
376    
377    <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
378    1.16</a>: Explain why distribution of binaries is important.</li>
379    
380    <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
381    1.11</a>: Note that a free license may require you to send a copy of
382    versions you distribute to the author.</li>
383    
384    </ul>
385    
386    <p>There are gaps in the version numbers because there are many other
387    changes that do not affect the substance of the definition at all.
388    Instead, they fix links, add translations, and so on.  If you would
389    like to review the complete list of changes, you can do so on
390    our <a href="http://web.cvs.savannah.gnu.org/viewvc/www/philosophy/free-sw.html?root=www&amp;view=log">cvsweb
391    interface</a>.</p>
392    
393    </div>
394    
395    <!--#include virtual="/server/footer.html" -->
396    
397    <div id="footer">
398    
399    <p>
400    Please send FSF &amp; GNU inquiries to
401    <a href="mailto:gnu@gnu.org">&lt;gnu@gnu.org&gt;</a>.
402    There are also <a href="/contact/">other ways to contact</a>
403    the FSF.
404    <br />
405    Please send broken links and other corrections or suggestions to
406    <a href="mailto:webmasters@gnu.org">&lt;webmasters@gnu.org&gt;</a>.
407    </p>
408    
409    <p>
410    Please see the
411    <a href="/server/standards/README.translations.html">Translations
412    README</a> for information on coordinating and submitting
413    translations of this article.
414    </p>
415    
416    <p>
417    Copyright &copy; 1996, 1997, 1998, 1999, 2000, 2001, 2002, 2003, 2004,
418    2005, 2006, 2007, 2009, 2010 Free Software Foundation, Inc.
419    </p>
420    <p>Verbatim copying and distribution of this entire article is
421    permitted in any medium without royalty provided this notice is
422    preserved.
423    </p>
424    
425    <p>
426  Updated:  Updated:
427  <!-- timestamp start -->  <!-- timestamp start -->
428  $Date$ $Author$  $Date$
429  <!-- timestamp end -->  <!-- timestamp end -->
430  <HR>  </p>
431  </BODY>  </div>
432  </HTML>  
433    <div id="translations">
434    <h4>Translations of this page</h4>
435    
436    <!-- Please keep this list alphabetical by language code.
437         Comment what the language is for each type, i.e. de is German.
438         Write the language name in its own language (Deutsch) in the text.
439         If you add a new language here, please
440         advise web-translators@gnu.org and add it to
441          - /home/www/html/server/standards/README.translations.html
442          - one of the lists under the section "Translations Underway"
443          - if there is a translation team, you also have to add an alias
444          to mail.gnu.org:/com/mailer/aliases
445         Please also check you have the language code right; see:
446         http://www.loc.gov/standards/iso639-2/php/code_list.php
447         If the 2-letter ISO 639-1 code is not available,
448         use the 3-letter ISO 639-2.
449         Please use W3C normative character entities. -->
450    
451    <ul class="translations-list">
452    <!-- Afrikaans -->
453    <li><a href="/philosophy/free-sw.af.html">Afrikaans</a>&nbsp;[af]</li>
454    <!-- Arabic -->
455    <li><a href="/philosophy/free-sw.ar.html">&#1575;&#1604;&#1593;&#1585;&#1576;&#1610;&#1577;</a>&nbsp;[ar]</li>
456    <!-- Azerbaijani -->
457    <li><a href="/philosophy/free-sw.az.html">Az&#x0259;rbaycanca</a>&nbsp;[az]</li>
458    <!-- Bulgarian -->
459    <li><a href="/philosophy/free-sw.bg.html">&#x431;&#x44A;&#x43B;&#x433;&#x430;&#x440;&#x441;&#x43A;&#x438;</a>&nbsp;[bg]</li>
460    <!-- Bengali -->
461    <li><a href="/philosophy/free-sw.bn.html">&#2476;&#2494;&#2434;&#2482;&#2494;</a>&nbsp;[bn]</li>
462    <!-- Bosnian -->
463    <li><a href="/philosophy/free-sw.bs.html">bosanski</a>&nbsp;[bs]</li>
464    <!-- Catalan -->
465    <li><a href="/philosophy/free-sw.ca.html">catal&#x00e0;</a>&nbsp;[ca]</li>
466    <!-- Czech -->
467    <li><a href="/philosophy/free-sw.cs.html">&#x010c;esky</a>&nbsp;[cs]</li>
468    <!-- Danish -->
469    <li><a href="/philosophy/free-sw.da.html">dansk</a>&nbsp;[da]</li>
470    <!-- German -->
471    <li><a href="/philosophy/free-sw.de.html">Deutsch</a>&nbsp;[de]</li>
472    <!-- Greek -->
473    <li><a href="/philosophy/free-sw.el.html">&#x03b5;&#x03bb;&#x03bb;&#x03b7;&#x03bd;&#x03b9;&#x03ba;&#x03ac;</a>&nbsp;[el]</li>
474    <!-- English -->
475    <li><a href="/philosophy/free-sw.html">English</a>&nbsp;[en]</li>
476    <!-- Esperanto -->
477    <li><a href="/philosophy/free-sw.eo.html">Esperanto</a>&nbsp;[eo]</li>
478    <!-- Spanish -->
479    <li><a href="/philosophy/free-sw.es.html">espa&#x00f1;ol</a>&nbsp;[es]</li>
480    <!-- Farsi (Persian) -->
481    <li><a href="/philosophy/free-sw.fa.html">&#x0641;&#x0627;&#x0631;&#x0633;&#x06cc;</a>&nbsp;[fa]</li>
482    <!-- French -->
483    <li><a href="/philosophy/free-sw.fr.html">fran&#x00e7;ais</a>&nbsp;[fr]</li>
484    <!-- Galician -->
485    <li><a href="/philosophy/free-sw.gl.html">galego</a>&nbsp;[gl]</li>
486    <!-- Hebrew -->
487    <li><a href="/philosophy/free-sw.he.html">&#x05e2;&#x05d1;&#x05e8;&#x05d9;&#x05ea;</a>&nbsp;[he]</li>
488    <!-- Croatian -->
489    <li><a href="/philosophy/free-sw.hr.html">hrvatski</a>&nbsp;[hr]</li>
490    <!-- Hungarian -->
491    <li><a href="/philosophy/free-sw.hu.html">magyar</a>&nbsp;[hu]</li>
492    <!-- Indonesian -->
493    <li><a href="/philosophy/free-sw.id.html">Bahasa Indonesia</a>&nbsp;[id]</li>
494    <!-- Italian -->
495    <li><a href="/philosophy/free-sw.it.html">italiano</a>&nbsp;[it]</li>
496    <!-- Japanese -->
497    <li><a href="/philosophy/free-sw.ja.html">&#x65e5;&#x672c;&#x8a9e;</a>&nbsp;[ja]</li>
498    <!-- Korean -->
499    <li><a href="/philosophy/free-sw.ko.html">&#xd55c;&#xad6d;&#xc5b4;</a>&nbsp;[ko]</li>
500    <!-- Norwegian Bokmål -->
501    <li><a href="/philosophy/free-sw.nb.html">norsk (bokm&aring;l)</a>&nbsp;[nb]</li>
502    <!-- Dutch -->
503    <li><a href="/philosophy/free-sw.nl.html">Nederlands</a>&nbsp;[nl]</li>
504    <!-- Polish -->
505    <li><a href="/philosophy/free-sw.pl.html">polski</a>&nbsp;[pl]</li>
506    <!-- Brazilian Portuguese -->
507    <li><a href="/philosophy/free-sw.pt-br.html">portugu&#x0ea;s do Brasil</a>&nbsp;[pt-br]</li>
508    <!-- Romanian -->
509    <li><a href="/philosophy/free-sw.ro.html">rom&#x00e2;n&#x0103;</a>&nbsp;[ro]</li>
510    <!-- Russian -->
511    <li><a href="/philosophy/free-sw.ru.html">&#x0440;&#x0443;&#x0441;&#x0441;&#x043a;&#x0438;&#x0439;</a>&nbsp;[ru]</li>
512    <!-- Slovak -->
513    <li><a href="/philosophy/free-sw.sk.html">sloven&#269;ina</a>&nbsp;[sk]</li>
514    <!--- Slovenian -->
515    <li><a href="/philosophy/free-sw.sl.html">sloven&scaron;&#269;ina</a>&nbsp;[sl]</li>
516    <!-- Serbian -->
517    <li><a href="/philosophy/free-sw.sr.html">&#x0441;&#x0440;&#x043f;&#x0441;&#x043a;&#x0438;</a>&nbsp;[sr]</li>
518    <!-- Swedish -->
519    <li><a href="/philosophy/free-sw.sv.html">svenska</a>&nbsp;[sv]</li>
520    <!-- Tamil -->
521    <li><a href="/philosophy/free-sw.ta.html">&#2980;&#2990;&#3007;&#2996;&#3021;</a>&nbsp;[ta]</li>
522    <!-- Tagalog -->
523    <li><a href="/philosophy/free-sw.tl.html">Tagalog</a>&nbsp;[tl]</li>
524    <!-- Turkish -->
525    <li><a href="/philosophy/free-sw.tr.html">T&#x00fc;rk&#x00e7;e</a>&nbsp;[tr]</li>
526    <!-- Chinese (Simplified) -->
527    <li><a href="/philosophy/free-sw.zh-cn.html">&#x7b80;&#x4f53;&#x4e2d;&#x6587;</a>&nbsp;[zh-cn]</li>
528    <!-- Chinese (Traditional) -->
529    <li><a href="/philosophy/free-sw.zh-tw.html">&#x7e41;&#x9ad4;&#x4e2d;&#x6587;</a>&nbsp;[zh-tw]</li>
530    </ul>
531    </div>
532    
533    </div>
534    
535    </body>
536    </html>
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