93 |
other people the central freedoms. This rule does not conflict with |
other people the central freedoms. This rule does not conflict with |
94 |
the central freedoms; rather it protects them.</p> |
the central freedoms; rather it protects them.</p> |
95 |
<p> |
<p> |
96 |
Thus, you may have paid money to get copies of free software, or you |
You may have paid money to get copies of free software, or you |
97 |
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 |
98 |
your copies, you always have the freedom to copy and change the |
your copies, you always have the freedom to copy and change the |
99 |
software, even to <a href="/philosophy/selling.html">sell copies</a>.</p> |
software, even to <a href="/philosophy/selling.html">sell copies</a>.</p> |
104 |
no longer unusual; such free commercial software is very important.</p> |
no longer unusual; such free commercial software is very important.</p> |
105 |
<p> |
<p> |
106 |
Rules about how to package a modified version are acceptable, if they |
Rules about how to package a modified version are acceptable, if they |
107 |
don't effectively block your freedom to release modified versions. |
don't substantively block your freedom to release modified versions. |
108 |
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 |
109 |
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 |
110 |
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 |
111 |
whether to publish the program or not.) It is also acceptable for the |
whether to publish the program or not.) It is also acceptable for the |
112 |
license to require that, if you have distributed a modified version |
license to require that, if you have distributed a modified version |
113 |
and a previous developer asks for a copy of it, you must send one.</p> |
and a previous developer asks for a copy of it, you must send one, |
114 |
|
or that you identify yourself on your modifications.</p> |
115 |
<p> |
<p> |
116 |
In the GNU project, we use <a href="/copyleft/copyleft.html">``copyleft''</a> |
In the GNU project, we use <a href="/copyleft/copyleft.html">``copyleft''</a> |
117 |
to protect these freedoms legally for everyone. But |
to protect these freedoms legally for everyone. But |
196 |
something close (but not identical) to "free software". We prefer the |
something close (but not identical) to "free software". We prefer the |
197 |
term "free software" because, once you have heard it refers to freedom |
term "free software" because, once you have heard it refers to freedom |
198 |
rather than price, <a href="free-software-for-freedom.html">it calls |
rather than price, <a href="free-software-for-freedom.html">it calls |
199 |
to mind freedom</a>.</p> |
to mind freedom</a>. The word "open" never does that.</p> |
200 |
|
|
201 |
<hr /> |
<hr /> |
202 |
<h4><a href="/philosophy/philosophy.html">Other Texts to Read</a></h4> |
<h4><a href="/philosophy/philosophy.html">Other Texts to Read</a></h4> |