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3  <body>  <title>What is free software? - GNU Project - Free Software Foundation (FSF)</title>
4    
5  <p><a href="#translations">Translations</a> of this page</p>  <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    
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12    
13    <h2>What is free software?</h2>
14    
15  <h3>The Free Software Definition</h3>  <h3>The Free Software Definition</h3>
16    
17    <blockquote>
18  <p>  <p>
19  <a href="/graphics/philosophicalgnu.html"><img src="/graphics/philosophical-gnu-sm.jpg" alt=" [image of a Philosophical Gnu] " width="160" height="200" /></a>  The free software definition presents the criteria for whether a
20    particular software program qualifies as free software.  From time to
21    time we revise this definition, to clarify it or to resolve questions
22    about subtle issues.  See the <a href="#History">History section</a>
23    below for a list of changes that affect the definition of free
24    software.
25  </p>  </p>
26    </blockquote>
27    
28  <p>  <p>
29  We maintain this free software definition to show clearly what must be  &ldquo;Free software&rdquo; means software that respects users'
30  true about a particular software program for it to be considered  freedom and community.  Roughly, <b>the users have the freedom to run,
31  free software.</p>  copy, distribute, study, change and improve the software</b>.  With these
32    freedoms, the users (both individually and collectively) control the
33    program and what it does for them.
34    </p>
35    
36    <p>
37    When users don't control the program, the program controls the users.
38    The developer controls the program, and through it controls the users.
39    This nonfree or &ldquo;proprietary&rdquo; program is therefore an
40    instrument of unjust power.
41    </p>
42    
43  <p>  <p>
44  ``Free software'' is a matter of liberty, not price.  To understand the  Thus, &ldquo;free software&rdquo; is a matter of liberty, not price.
45  concept, you should think of ``free'' as in ``free speech,'' not as in  To understand the concept, you should think of &ldquo;free&rdquo; as
46  ``free beer.''</p>  in &ldquo;free speech,&rdquo; not as in &ldquo;free beer&rdquo;.
47    </p>
48    
49  <p>  <p>
50  Free software is a matter of the users' freedom to run, copy,  A program is free software if the program's users have the
51  distribute, study, change and improve the software.  More precisely,  four essential freedoms:
52  it refers to four kinds of freedom, for the users of the software:</p>  </p>
53    
54  <ul>  <ul>
55    <li>The freedom to run the program, for any purpose (freedom 0).</li>    <li>The freedom to run the program, for any purpose (freedom 0).</li>
56    <li>The freedom to study how the program works, and adapt it to your needs    <li>The freedom to study how the program works, and change it so it
57        (freedom 1).   Access to the source code is a precondition for this.</li>        does your computing as you wish (freedom 1). Access to the source
58          code is a precondition for this.
59      </li>
60    <li>The freedom to redistribute copies so you can help your neighbor    <li>The freedom to redistribute copies so you can help your neighbor
61        (freedom 2).</li>        (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.</li>        to others (freedom 3).  By doing this you can give the whole
65          community a chance to benefit from your changes.
66          Access to the source code is a precondition for this.
67      </li>
68  </ul>  </ul>
69    
70  <p>  <p>
71  A program is free software if users have all of these freedoms.  A program is free software if users have all of these freedoms.  Thus,
72  Thus, you should be free to redistribute copies, either with or  you should be free to redistribute copies, either with or without
73  without modifications, either gratis or charging a fee for  modifications, either gratis or charging a fee for distribution, to
74  distribution, to <a href="#exportcontrol">anyone anywhere</a>.  Being  <a href="#exportcontrol">anyone anywhere</a>.  Being free to do these
75  free to do these things means (among other things) that you do not  things means (among other things) that you do not have to ask or pay
76  have to ask or pay for permission.</p>  for permission to do so.
77    </p>
78    
79  <p>  <p>
80  You should also have the freedom to make modifications and use them  You should also have the freedom to make modifications and use them
81  privately in your own work or play, without even mentioning that they  privately in your own work or play, without even mentioning that they
82  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
83  notify anyone in particular, or in any particular way.</p>  notify anyone in particular, or in any particular way.
84    </p>
85    
86  <p>  <p>
87  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
88  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
89  of overall job, and without being required to communicate subsequently  overall job and purpose, without being required to communicate about it
90  with the developer or any other specific entity.</p>  with the developer or any other specific entity.  In this freedom, it is
91    the <em>user's</em> purpose that matters, not the <em>developer's</em>
92    purpose; you as a user are free to run the program for your purposes,
93    and if you distribute it to someone else, she is then free to run it
94    for her purposes, but you are not entitled to impose your purposes on her.
95    </p>
96    
97  <p>  <p>
98  The freedom to redistribute copies must include binary or executable  The freedom to redistribute copies must include binary or executable
99  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
100  unmodified versions.  (Distributing programs in runnable form is  unmodified versions.  (Distributing programs in runnable form is necessary
101  necessary for conveniently installable free operating systems.)  It is  for conveniently installable free operating systems.)  It is OK if there
102  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
103  certain program (since some languages don't support that feature), but  (since some languages don't support that feature), but you must have the
104  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
105  or develop a way to make them.</p>  make them.
106  <p>  </p>
107  In order for the freedoms to make changes, and to publish improved  
108  versions, to be meaningful, you must have access to the source code of  <p>
109  the program.  Therefore, accessibility of source code is a necessary  In order for freedoms 1 and 3 (the freedom to make changes and the
110  condition for free software.</p>  freedom to publish the changed versions) to be meaningful, you must have
111  <p>  access to the source code of the program.  Therefore, accessibility of
112  In order for these freedoms to be real, they must be irrevocable as  source code is a necessary condition for free software.  Obfuscated
113  long as you do nothing wrong; if the developer of the software has the  &ldquo;source code&rdquo; is not real source code and does not count
114  power to revoke the license, without your doing anything to give  as source code.
115  cause, the software is not free.</p>  </p>
116    
117    <p>
118    Freedom 1 includes the freedom to use your changed version in place of
119    the original.  If the program is delivered in a product designed to
120    run someone else's modified versions but refuse to run yours &mdash; a
121    practice known as &ldquo;tivoization&rdquo; or &ldquo;lockdown&rdquo;,
122    or (in its practitioners' perverse terminology) as &ldquo;secure
123    boot&rdquo; &mdash; freedom 1 becomes a theoretical fiction rather
124    than a practical freedom.  This is not sufficient.  In other words,
125    these binaries are not free software even if the source code they are
126    compiled from is free.
127    </p>
128    
129    <p>
130    One important way to modify a program is by merging in available free
131    subroutines and modules.  If the program's license says that you
132    cannot merge in a suitably licensed existing module &mdash; for instance, if it
133    requires you to be the copyright holder of any code you add &mdash; then the
134    license is too restrictive to qualify as free.
135    </p>
136    
137    <p>
138    Freedom 3 includes the freedom to release your modified versions
139    as free software.  A free license may also permit other ways of
140    releasing them; in other words, it does not have to be
141    a <a href="/copyleft/copyleft.html">copyleft</a> license.  However, a
142    license that requires modified versions to be nonfree does not qualify
143    as a free license.
144    </p>
145    
146    <p>
147    In order for these freedoms to be real, they must be permanent and
148    irrevocable as long as you do nothing wrong; if the developer of the
149    software has the power to revoke the license, or retroactively add
150    restrictions to its terms, without your doing anything wrong to give
151    cause, the software is not free.
152    </p>
153    
154  <p>  <p>
155  However, certain kinds of rules about the manner of distributing free  However, certain kinds of rules about the manner of distributing free
156  software are acceptable, when they don't conflict with the central  software are acceptable, when they don't conflict with the central
157  freedoms.  For example, copyleft (very simply stated) is the rule that  freedoms.  For example, copyleft (very simply stated) is the rule that
158  when redistributing the program, you cannot add restrictions to deny  when redistributing the program, you cannot add restrictions to deny
159  other people the central freedoms.  This rule does not conflict with  other people the central freedoms.  This rule does not conflict with
160  the central freedoms; rather it protects them.</p>  the central freedoms; rather it protects them.
161    </p>
162    
163    <p>
164    &ldquo;Free software&rdquo; does not mean &ldquo;noncommercial&rdquo;.  A free
165    program must be available for commercial use, commercial development,
166    and commercial distribution.  Commercial development of free software
167    is no longer unusual; such free commercial software is very important.
168    You may have paid money to get copies of free software, or you may have
169    obtained copies at no charge.  But regardless of how you got your copies,
170    you always have the freedom to copy and change the software, even to
171    <a href="/philosophy/selling.html">sell copies</a>.
172    </p>
173    
174    <p>
175    Whether a change constitutes an improvement is a subjective matter.
176    If your right to modify a program is limited, in substance, to changes that
177    someone else considers an improvement, that program is not free.
178    </p>
179    
180  <p>  <p>
181  Thus, you may have paid money to get copies of free software, or you  However, rules about how to package a modified version are acceptable,
182  may have obtained copies at no charge.  But regardless of how you got  if they don't substantively limit your freedom to release modified
183  your copies, you always have the freedom to copy and change the  versions, or your freedom to make and use modified versions privately.
184  software, even to <a href="/philosophy/selling.html">sell copies</a>.</p>  Thus, it is acceptable for the license to require that you change the
185  <p>  name of the modified version, remove a logo, or identify your
186  ``Free software'' does not mean ``non-commercial''.  A free program  modifications as yours.  As long as these requirements are not so
187  must be available for commercial use, commercial development, and  burdensome that they effectively hamper you from releasing your
188  commercial distribution.  Commercial development of free software is  changes, they are acceptable; you're already making other changes to
189  no longer unusual; such free commercial software is very important.</p>  the program, so you won't have trouble making a few more.
190  <p>  </p>
191  Rules about how to package a modified version are acceptable, if they  
192  don't effectively block your freedom to release modified versions.  <p>
193  Rules that ``if you make the program available in this way, you must  Rules that &ldquo;if you make your version available in this way, you
194  make it available in that way also'' can be acceptable too, on the  must make it available in that way also&rdquo; can be acceptable too,
195  same condition.  (Note that such a rule still leaves you the choice of  on the same condition.  An example of such an acceptable rule is one
196  whether to publish the program or not.)  It is also acceptable for the  saying that if you have distributed a
197  license to require that, if you have distributed a modified version  modified version and a previous developer asks for a copy of it, you
198  and a previous developer asks for a copy of it, you must send one.</p>  must send one.  (Note that such a rule still leaves you the choice of
199  <p>  whether to distribute your version at all.)  Rules that require release
200  In the GNU project, we use <a href="/copyleft/copyleft.html">``copyleft''</a>  of source code to the users for versions that you put into public use
201  to protect these freedoms legally for everyone.  But  are also acceptable.
202  <a href="/philosophy/categories.html#Non-CopyleftedFreeSoftware">non-copylefted  </p>
203  free software</a> also exists.  We believe there are  
204  important reasons why <a href="/philosophy/pragmatic.html"> it is  <p>
205  better to use copyleft</a>, but if your program is non-copylefted free  A special issue arises when a license requires changing the name by
206  software, we can still use it.</p>  which the program will be invoked from other programs.  That
207  <p>  effectively hampers you from releasing your changed version so that it
208  See <a href="/philosophy/categories.html">Categories of Free Software</a>  can replace the original when invoked by those other programs.  This
209  for a description of how ``free software,'' ``copylefted software'' and  sort of requirement is acceptable only if there's a suitable aliasing
210  other categories of software relate to each other.</p>  facility that allows you to specify the original program's name as an
211  <p>  alias for the modified version.</p>
212  Sometimes government <a id="exportcontrol">export control  
213  regulations</a> and trade sanctions can constrain your freedom to  <p>
214  distribute copies of programs internationally.  Software developers do  In the GNU project, we use
215  not have the power to eliminate or override these restrictions, but  <a href="/copyleft/copyleft.html">copyleft</a>
216  what they can and must do is refuse to impose them as conditions of  to protect these freedoms legally for everyone.  But
217  use of the program.  In this way, the restrictions will not affect  <a href="/philosophy/categories.html#Non-CopyleftedFreeSoftware">noncopylefted
218  activities and people outside the jurisdictions of these governments.</p>  free software</a> also exists.  We believe there are important reasons why
219  <p>  <a href="/philosophy/pragmatic.html">it is better to use copyleft</a>,
220  Most free software licenses are based on copyright, and there are  but if your program is noncopylefted free software, it is still basically
221  limits on what kinds of requirements can be imposed through copyright.  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.)
222  If a copyright-based license respects freedom in the ways described  </p>
223  above, it is unlikely to have some other sort of problem that we never  
224  anticipated (though this does happen occasionally).  However, some  <p>
225  free software licenses are based on contracts, and contracts can  Sometimes government <a id="exportcontrol">export control regulations</a>
226  impose a much larger range of possible restrictions.  That means there  and trade sanctions can constrain your freedom to distribute copies of
227  are many possible ways such a license could be unacceptably  programs internationally.  Software developers do not have the power to
228  restrictive and non-free.</p>  eliminate or override these restrictions, but what they can and must do
229  <p>  is refuse to impose them as conditions of use of the program.  In this
230  We can't possibly list all the possible contract restrictions that  way, the restrictions will not affect activities and people outside the
231  would be unacceptable.  If a contract-based license restricts the user  jurisdictions of these governments.  Thus, free software licenses
232  in an unusual way that copyright-based licenses cannot, and which  must not require obedience to any export regulations as a condition of
233  isn't mentioned here as legitimate, we will have to think about it,  any of the essential freedoms.
234  and we will probably decide it is non-free.</p>  </p>
235  <p>  
236  When talking about free software, it is best to avoid using terms like  <p>
237  ``give away'' or ``for free'', because those terms imply that the  Most free software licenses are based on copyright, and there are limits
238  issue is about price, not freedom.  Some common terms such as  on what kinds of requirements can be imposed through copyright.  If a
239  ``piracy'' embody opinions we hope you won't endorse.  See  copyright-based license respects freedom in the ways described above, it
240  <a href="/philosophy/words-to-avoid.html">Confusing Words and Phrases  is unlikely to have some other sort of problem that we never anticipated
241  that are Worth Avoiding</a> for a discussion of these terms.  (though this does happen occasionally).  However, some free software
242  We also have a list of <a href="/philosophy/fs-translations.html">translations  licenses are based on contracts, and contracts can impose a much larger
243  of "free software"</a> into various languages.</p>  range of possible restrictions.  That means there are many possible ways
244    such a license could be unacceptably restrictive and nonfree.
245    </p>
246    
247    <p>
248    We can't possibly list all the ways that might happen.  If a
249    contract-based license restricts the user in an unusual way that
250    copyright-based licenses cannot, and which isn't mentioned here as
251    legitimate, we will have to think about it, and we will probably conclude
252    it is nonfree.
253    </p>
254    
255    <p>
256    When talking about free software, it is best to avoid using terms
257    like &ldquo;give away&rdquo; or &ldquo;for free,&rdquo; because those terms imply that
258    the issue is about price, not freedom.  Some common terms such
259    as &ldquo;piracy&rdquo; embody opinions we hope you won't endorse.  See
260    <a href="/philosophy/words-to-avoid.html">Confusing Words and Phrases that
261    are Worth Avoiding</a> for a discussion of these terms.  We also have
262    a list of proper <a href="/philosophy/fs-translations.html">translations of
263    &ldquo;free software&rdquo;</a> into various languages.
264    </p>
265    
266  <p>  <p>
267  Finally, note that criteria such as those stated in this free software  Finally, note that criteria such as those stated in this free software
268  definition require careful thought for their interpretation.  To  definition require careful thought for their interpretation.  To decide
269  decide whether a specific software license qualifies as a free  whether a specific software license qualifies as a free software license,
270  software license, we judge it based on these criteria to determine  we judge it based on these criteria to determine whether it fits their
271  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
272  license includes unconscionable restrictions, we reject it, even if we  restrictions, we reject it, even if we did not anticipate the issue
273  did not anticipate the issue in these criteria.  Sometimes a license  in these criteria.  Sometimes a license requirement raises an issue
274  requirement raises an issue that calls for extensive thought,  that calls for extensive thought, including discussions with a lawyer,
275  including discussions with a lawyer, before we can decide if the  before we can decide if the requirement is acceptable.  When we reach
276  requirement is acceptable.  When we reach a conclusion about a new  a conclusion about a new issue, we often update these criteria to make
277  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.
278  certain licenses do or don't qualify.</p>  </p>
279  <p>  
280  If you are interested in whether a specific license qualifies as a  <p>
281  free software license, see our <a href="/licenses/license-list.html">list  If you are interested in whether a specific license qualifies as a free
282  of licenses</a>.  If the  software license, see our <a href="/licenses/license-list.html">list
283  license you are concerned with is not listed there, you can ask us  of licenses</a>.  If the license you are concerned with is not
284  about it by sending us email  listed there, you can ask us about it by sending us email at
285  at <a href="mailto:licensing@gnu.org">&lt;licensing@gnu.org&gt;</a>.</p>  <a href="mailto:licensing@gnu.org">&lt;licensing@gnu.org&gt;</a>.
286    </p>
287  <hr />  
288    <p>
289  <p>  If you are contemplating writing a new license, please contact the
290  Another group has started using the term "open source" to mean  Free Software Foundation first by writing to that address. The
291  something close (but not identical) to "free software".  We prefer the  proliferation of different free software licenses means increased work
292  term "free software" because, once you have heard it refers to freedom  for users in understanding the licenses; we may be able to help you
293  rather than price, <a href="free-software-for-freedom.html">it calls  find an existing free software license that meets your needs.
294  to mind freedom</a>.</p>  </p>
295    
296  <hr />  <p>
297  <h4><a href="/philosophy/philosophy.html">Other Texts to Read</a></h4>  If that isn't possible, if you really need a new license, with our
298    help you can ensure that the license really is a free software license
299    and avoid various practical problems.
300  <!-- All pages on the GNU web server should have the section about    -->  </p>
301  <!-- verbatim copying.  Please do NOT remove this without talking     -->  
302  <!-- with the webmasters first. -->  <h3 id="beyond-software">Beyond Software</h3>
303  <!-- Please make sure the copyright date is consistent with the document -->  
304  <!-- and that it is like this "2001, 2002" not this "2001-2002." -->  <p>
305    <a href="/philosophy/free-doc.html">Software manuals must be free</a>,
306  <div class="translations">  for the same reasons that software must be free, and because the
307  <p><a id="translations"></a>  manuals are in effect part of the software.
308  <b>Translations of this page</b>:<br />  </p>
309    
310  <!-- Please keep this list alphabetical, and in the original -->  <p>
311  <!-- language if possible, otherwise default to English -->  The same arguments also make sense for other kinds of works of
312  <!-- If you do not have it English, please comment what the -->  practical use &mdash; that is to say, works that embody useful knowledge,
313  <!-- English is.  If you add a new language here, please -->  such as educational works and reference
314  <!-- advise web-trans@gnu.org and add it to -->  works.  <a href="http://wikipedia.org">Wikipedia</a> is the best-known
315  <!--    - in /home/www/bin/nightly-vars either TAGSLANG or WEBLANG -->  example.
316  <!--    - in /home/www/html/server/standards/README.translations.html -->  </p>
317  <!--      one of the lists under the section "Translations Underway" -->  
318  <!--    - if there is a translation team, you also have to add an alias -->  <p>
319  <!--      to mail.gnu.org:/com/mailer/aliases -->  Any kind of work <em>can</em> be free, and the definition of free software
320  <!-- Please also check you have the 2 letter language code right versus -->  has been extended to a definition of <a href="http://freedomdefined.org/">
321  <!--     http://www.w3.org/WAI/ER/IG/ert/iso639.htm -->  free cultural works</a> applicable to any kind of works.
 [  
   <a href="/philosophy/free-sw.cs.html">&#x010c;esky</a>        <!-- Czech -->  
 | <a href="/philosophy/free-sw.da.html">Dansk</a>       <!-- Danish -->  
 | <a href="/philosophy/free-sw.de.html">Deutsch</a>     <!-- German -->  
 | <a href="/philosophy/free-sw.html">English</a>  
 | <a href="/philosophy/free-sw.es.html">Espa&#x00f1;ol</a>      <!-- Spanish -->  
 | <a href="/philosophy/free-sw.fr.html">Fran&#x00e7;ais</a>     <!-- French -->  
 | <a href="/philosophy/free-sw.gl.html">Galego</a>      <!-- Galician -->  
 | <a href="/philosophy/free-sw.he.html">&#x05e2;&#x05d1;&#x05e8;&#x05d9;&#x05ea;</a>    <!-- Hebrew -->  
 | <a href="/philosophy/free-sw.hr.html">Hrvatski</a>    <!-- Croatian -->  
 | <a href="/philosophy/free-sw.id.html">Bahasa Indonesia</a>    <!-- Indonesian -->  
 | <a href="/philosophy/free-sw.it.html">Italiano</a>    <!-- Italian -->  
 | <a href="/philosophy/free-sw.ja.html">&#x65e5;&#x672c;&#x8a9e;</a>    <!-- Japanese -->  
 | <a href="/philosophy/free-sw.ko.html">&#xd55c;&#xad6d;&#xc5b4;</a>    <!-- Korean -->  
 | <a href="/philosophy/free-sw.hu.html">Magyar</a>      <!-- Hungarian -->  
 | <a href="/philosophy/free-sw.nl.html">Nederlands</a>  <!-- Dutch -->  
 | <a href="/philosophy/free-sw.no.html">Norsk</a>       <!-- Norwegian -->  
 | <a href="/philosophy/free-sw.pl.html">Polski</a>      <!-- Polish -->  
 | <a href="/philosophy/free-sw.pt.html">Portugu&#x0ea;s</a>     <!-- Portuguese -->  
 | <a href="/philosophy/free-sw.ro.html">Rom&#x00e2;n&#x00e3;</a>        <!-- Romanian -->  
 | <a href="/philosophy/free-sw.ru.html">&#1056;&#1091;&#1089;&#1089;&#1082;&#1080;&#1081;</a> <!-- Russian -->  
 | <a href="/philosophy/free-sw.sl.html">Slovinsko</a>   <!--- Slovenian -->  
 | <a href="/philosophy/free-sw.tr.html">T&#x00fc;rk&#x00e7;e</a>        <!-- Turkish -->  
 ]  
322  </p>  </p>
 </div>  
323    
324  <div class="copyright">  <h3 id="open-source">Open Source?</h3>
325    
326  <p>  <p>
327  Return to the <a href="/home.html">GNU Project home page</a>.  Another group has started using the term &ldquo;open source&rdquo; to mean
328    something close (but not identical) to &ldquo;free software&rdquo;.  We
329    prefer the term &ldquo;free software&rdquo; because, once you have heard that
330    it refers to freedom rather than price, it calls to mind freedom.  The
331    word &ldquo;open&rdquo; <a href="/philosophy/open-source-misses-the-point.html">
332    never refers to freedom</a>.
333  </p>  </p>
334    
335    <h3 id="History">History</h3>
336    
337    <p>From time to time we revise this Free Software Definition.  Here is
338    the list of substantive changes, along with links to show exactly what
339    was changed.</p>
340    
341    <ul>
342    
343    <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
344    1.111</a>: Clarify 1.77 by saying that only
345    retroactive <em>restrictions</em> are unacceptable.  The copyright
346    holders can always grant additional <em>permission</em> for use of the
347    work by releasing the work in another way in parallel.</li>
348    
349    <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
350    1.105</a>: Reflect, in the brief statement of freedom 1, the point
351    (already stated in version 1.80) that it includes really using your modified
352    version for your computing.</li>
353    
354    <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
355    1.92</a>: Clarify that obfuscated code does not qualify as source code.</li>
356    
357    <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
358    1.90</a>: Clarify that freedom 3 means the right to distribute copies
359    of your own modified or improved version, not a right to participate
360    in someone else's development project.</li>
361    
362    <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
363    1.89</a>: Freedom 3 includes the right to release modified versions as
364    free software.</li>
365    
366    <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
367    1.80</a>: Freedom 1 must be practical, not just theoretical;
368    i.e., no tivoization.</li>
369    
370    <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
371    1.77</a>: Clarify that all retroactive changes to the license are
372    unacceptable, even if it's not described as a complete
373    replacement.</li>
374    
375    <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
376    1.74</a>: Four clarifications of points not explicit enough, or stated
377    in some places but not reflected everywhere:
378    <ul>
379    <li>"Improvements" does not mean the license can
380    substantively limit what kinds of modified versions you can release.
381    Freedom 3 includes distributing modified versions, not just changes.</li>
382    <li>The right to merge in existing modules
383    refers to those that are suitably licensed.</li>
384    <li>Explicitly state the conclusion of the point about export controls.</li>
385    <li>Imposing a license change constitutes revoking the old license.</li>
386    </ul>
387    </li>
388    
389    <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
390    1.57</a>: Add &quot;Beyond Software&quot; section.</li>
391    
392    <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
393    1.46</a>: Clarify whose purpose is significant in the freedom to run
394    the program for any purpose.</li>
395    
396    <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
397    1.41</a>: Clarify wording about contract-based licenses.</li>
398    
399    <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
400    1.40</a>: Explain that a free license must allow to you use other
401    available free software to create your modifications.</li>
402    
403    <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
404    1.39</a>: Note that it is acceptable for a license to require you to
405    provide source for versions of the software you put into public
406    use.</li>
407    
408    <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
409    1.31</a>: Note that it is acceptable for a license to require you to
410    identify yourself as the author of modifications.  Other minor
411    clarifications throughout the text.</li>
412    
413    <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
414    1.23</a>: Address potential problems related to contract-based
415    licenses.</li>
416    
417    <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
418    1.16</a>: Explain why distribution of binaries is important.</li>
419    
420    <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
421    1.11</a>: Note that a free license may require you to send a copy of
422    versions you distribute to the author.</li>
423    
424    </ul>
425    
426    <p>There are gaps in the version numbers shown above because there are
427    other changes in this page that do not affect the definition as such.
428    These changes are in other parts of the page.  You can review the
429    complete list of changes to the page through
430    the <a href="http://web.cvs.savannah.gnu.org/viewvc/www/philosophy/free-sw.html?root=www&amp;view=log">cvsweb
431    interface</a>.</p>
432    
433    </div>
434    
435    <!--#include virtual="/server/footer.html" -->
436    
437    <div id="footer">
438    
439  <p>  <p>
440  Please send FSF &amp; GNU inquiries to  Please send FSF &amp; GNU inquiries to
441  <a href="mailto:gnu@gnu.org"><em>gnu@gnu.org</em></a>.  <a href="mailto:gnu@gnu.org">&lt;gnu@gnu.org&gt;</a>.
442  There are also <a href="/home.html#ContactInfo">other ways to contact</a>  There are also <a href="/contact/">other ways to contact</a>
443  the FSF.  the FSF.
444  <br />  <br />
445  Please send broken links and other corrections (or suggestions) to  Please send broken links and other corrections or suggestions to
446  <a href="mailto:webmasters@gnu.org"><em>webmasters@gnu.org</em></a>.  <a href="mailto:webmasters@gnu.org">&lt;webmasters@gnu.org&gt;</a>.
447  </p>  </p>
448    
449  <p>  <p>
# Line 262  translations of this article. Line 454  translations of this article.
454  </p>  </p>
455    
456  <p>  <p>
457  Copyright (C) 1996, 1997, 1998, 1999, 2000, 2001, 2002, 2003, Free  Copyright &copy; 1996-2002, 2004-2007, 2009, 2010, 2012 Free Software
458  Software Foundation, Inc., 59 Temple Place - Suite 330, Boston, MA  Foundation, Inc.
459  02111,  USA  </p>
460  <br />  <p>This page is licensed under a <a rel="license"
461  Verbatim copying and distribution of this entire article is  href="http://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-nd/3.0/us/">Creative
462  permitted in any medium without royalty provided this notice is  Commons Attribution-NoDerivs 3.0 United States License</a>.
 preserved.  
463  </p>  </p>
464    
465  <p>  <!--#include virtual="/server/bottom-notes.html" -->
466  Updated:  
467    <p>Updated:
468  <!-- timestamp start -->  <!-- timestamp start -->
469  $Date$ $Author$  $Date$
470  <!-- timestamp end -->  <!-- timestamp end -->
471  </p>  </p>
472  </div>  </div>
473    
474    
475    </div>
476    
477  </body>  </body>
478  </html>  </html>
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