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4    
5  <div id="header">  <meta http-equiv="Keywords" content="GNU, FSF, Free Software Foundation, Linux, Emacs, GCC, Unix, Free Software, Operating System, GNU Kernel, HURD, GNU HURD, Hurd" />
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12    
13  <p><a href="#translations">Translations</a> of this page</p>  <h2>What is free software?</h2>
14    
15  <h3>The Free Software Definition</h3>  <h3>The Free Software Definition</h3>
16    
17    <blockquote>
18    The free software definition presents the criteria for whether a
19    particular software program qualifies as free software.  From time to
20    time we revise this definition, to clarify it or to resolve questions
21    about subtle issues.  See the <a href="#History">History section</a>
22    below for a list of changes that affect the definition of free
23    software.
24    </blockquote>
25    
26  <p>  <p>
27  <a href="/graphics/philosophicalgnu.html"><img src="/graphics/philosophical-gnu-sm.jpg" alt=" [image of a Philosophical Gnu] " width="160" height="200" /></a>  &ldquo;Free software&rdquo; means software that respects users'
28    freedom and community.  Roughly, the users have the freedom to run,
29    copy, distribute, study, change and improve the software.  With these
30    freedoms, the users (both individually and collectively) control the
31    program and what it does for them.
32  </p>  </p>
33    
34  <p>  <p>
35  We maintain this free software definition to show clearly what must be  When users don't control the program, the program controls the users.
36  true about a particular software program for it to be considered  The developer controls the program, and through it controls the users.
37  free software.</p>  This nonfree or &ldquo;proprietary&rdquo; program is therefore an
38    instrument of unjust power.
39    </p>
40    
41  <p>  <p>
42  ``Free software'' is a matter of liberty, not price.  To understand the  Thus, &ldquo;free software&rdquo; is a matter of liberty, not price.
43  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
44  ``free beer.''</p>  in &ldquo;free speech,&rdquo; not as in &ldquo;free beer&rdquo;.
45    </p>
46    
47  <p>  <p>
48  Free software is a matter of the users' freedom to run, copy,  A program is free software if the program's users have the
49  distribute, study, change and improve the software.  More precisely,  four essential freedoms:
50  it refers to four kinds of freedom, for the users of the software:</p>  </p>
51    
52  <ul>  <ul>
53    <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>
54    <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
55        (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
56          code is a precondition for this.
57      </li>
58    <li>The freedom to redistribute copies so you can help your neighbor    <li>The freedom to redistribute copies so you can help your neighbor
59        (freedom 2).</li>        (freedom 2).
60    <li>The freedom to improve the program, and release your improvements    </li>
61       to the public, so that the whole community benefits    <li>The freedom to distribute copies of your modified versions
62        (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
63          community a chance to benefit from your changes.
64          Access to the source code is a precondition for this.
65      </li>
66  </ul>  </ul>
67    
68  <p>  <p>
69  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,
70  Thus, you should be free to redistribute copies, either with or  you should be free to redistribute copies, either with or without
71  without modifications, either gratis or charging a fee for  modifications, either gratis or charging a fee for distribution, to
72  distribution, to <a href="#exportcontrol">anyone anywhere</a>.  Being  <a href="#exportcontrol">anyone anywhere</a>.  Being free to do these
73  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
74  have to ask or pay for permission.</p>  for permission to do so.
75    </p>
76    
77  <p>  <p>
78  You should also have the freedom to make modifications and use them  You should also have the freedom to make modifications and use them
79  privately in your own work or play, without even mentioning that they  privately in your own work or play, without even mentioning that they
80  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
81  notify anyone in particular, or in any particular way.</p>  notify anyone in particular, or in any particular way.
82    </p>
83    
84  <p>  <p>
85  The freedom to run the program means the freedom for any kind of  The freedom to run the program means the freedom for any kind of person
86  person or organization to use it on any kind of computer system, for  or organization to use it on any kind of computer system, for any kind of
87  any kind of overall job and purpose, without being required to  overall job and purpose, without being required to communicate about it
88  communicate about it with the developer or any other specific entity.  with the developer or any other specific entity.  In this freedom, it is
89  In this freedom, it is the <em>user's</em> purpose that matters, not  the <em>user's</em> purpose that matters, not the <em>developer's</em>
90  the <em>developer's</em> purpose; you as a user are free to run a  purpose; you as a user are free to run the program for your purposes,
91  program for your purposes, and if you distribute it to someone else,  and if you distribute it to someone else, she is then free to run it
92  she is then free to run it for her purposes, but you are not entitled  for her purposes, but you are not entitled to impose your purposes on her.
 to impose your purposes on her.  
93  </p>  </p>
94    
95  <p>  <p>
96  The freedom to redistribute copies must include binary or executable  The freedom to redistribute copies must include binary or executable
97  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
98  unmodified versions.  (Distributing programs in runnable form is  unmodified versions.  (Distributing programs in runnable form is necessary
99  necessary for conveniently installable free operating systems.)  It is  for conveniently installable free operating systems.)  It is OK if there
100  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
101  certain program (since some languages don't support that feature), but  (since some languages don't support that feature), but you must have the
102  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
103  or develop a way to make them.</p>  make them.
104  <p>  </p>
105  In order for the freedoms to make changes, and to publish improved  
106  versions, to be meaningful, you must have access to the source code of  <p>
107  the program.  Therefore, accessibility of source code is a necessary  In order for freedoms 1 and 3 (the freedom to make changes and the
108  condition for free software.</p>  freedom to publish improved versions) to be meaningful, you must have
109    access to the source code of the program.  Therefore, accessibility of
110    source code is a necessary condition for free software.  Obfuscated
111    &ldquo;source code&rdquo; is not real source code and does not count
112    as source code.
113    </p>
114    
115    <p>
116    Freedom 1 includes the freedom to use your changed version in place of
117    the original.  If the program is delivered in a product designed to
118    run someone else's modified versions but refuse to run yours &mdash; a
119    practice known as &ldquo;tivoization&rdquo; or &ldquo;lockdown&rdquo;,
120    or (in its practitioners' perverse terminology) as &ldquo;secure
121    boot&rdquo; &mdash; freedom 1 becomes a theoretical fiction rather
122    than a practical freedom.  This is not sufficient.  In other words,
123    these binaries are not free software even if the source code they are
124    compiled from is free.
125    </p>
126    
127  <p>  <p>
128  One important way to modify a program is by merging in available free  One important way to modify a program is by merging in available free
129  subroutines and modules.  If the program's license says that you  subroutines and modules.  If the program's license says that you
130  cannot merge in an existing module, such as if it requires you to be  cannot merge in a suitably licensed existing module &mdash; for instance, if it
131  the copyright holder of any code you add, then the license is too  requires you to be the copyright holder of any code you add &mdash; then the
132  restrictive to qualify as free.</p>  license is too restrictive to qualify as free.
133  <p>  </p>
134  In order for these freedoms to be real, they must be irrevocable as  
135  long as you do nothing wrong; if the developer of the software has the  <p>
136  power to revoke the license, without your doing anything to give  Freedom 3 includes the freedom to release your modified versions
137  cause, the software is not free.</p>  as free software.  A free license may also permit other ways of
138    releasing them; in other words, it does not have to be
139    a <a href="/copyleft/copyleft.html">copyleft</a> license.  However, a
140    license that requires modified versions to be nonfree does not qualify
141    as a free license.
142    </p>
143    
144    <p>
145    In order for these freedoms to be real, they must be permanent and
146    irrevocable as long as you do nothing wrong; if the developer of the
147    software has the power to revoke the license, or retroactively add
148    restrictions to its terms, without your doing anything wrong to give
149    cause, the software is not free.
150    </p>
151    
152  <p>  <p>
153  However, certain kinds of rules about the manner of distributing free  However, certain kinds of rules about the manner of distributing free
154  software are acceptable, when they don't conflict with the central  software are acceptable, when they don't conflict with the central
155  freedoms.  For example, copyleft (very simply stated) is the rule that  freedoms.  For example, copyleft (very simply stated) is the rule that
156  when redistributing the program, you cannot add restrictions to deny  when redistributing the program, you cannot add restrictions to deny
157  other people the central freedoms.  This rule does not conflict with  other people the central freedoms.  This rule does not conflict with
158  the central freedoms; rather it protects them.</p>  the central freedoms; rather it protects them.
159    </p>
160    
161    <p>
162    &ldquo;Free software&rdquo; does not mean &ldquo;noncommercial&rdquo;.  A free
163    program must be available for commercial use, commercial development,
164    and commercial distribution.  Commercial development of free software
165    is no longer unusual; such free commercial software is very important.
166    You may have paid money to get copies of free software, or you may have
167    obtained copies at no charge.  But regardless of how you got your copies,
168    you always have the freedom to copy and change the software, even to
169    <a href="/philosophy/selling.html">sell copies</a>.
170    </p>
171    
172  <p>  <p>
173  You may have paid money to get copies of free software, or you  Whether a change constitutes an improvement is a subjective matter.
174  may have obtained copies at no charge.  But regardless of how you got  If your modifications are limited, in substance, to changes that
175  your copies, you always have the freedom to copy and change the  someone else considers an improvement, that is not freedom.
176  software, even to <a href="/philosophy/selling.html">sell copies</a>.</p>  </p>
177  <p>  
178  ``Free software'' does not mean ``non-commercial''.  A free program  <p>
179  must be available for commercial use, commercial development, and  However, rules about how to package a modified version are acceptable,
180  commercial distribution.  Commercial development of free software is  if they don't substantively limit your freedom to release modified
181  no longer unusual; such free commercial software is very important.</p>  versions, or your freedom to make and use modified versions privately.
182  <p>  Thus, it is acceptable for the license to require that you change the
183  Rules about how to package a modified version are acceptable, if they  name of the modified version, remove a logo, or identify your
184  don't substantively block your freedom to release modified versions,  modifications as yours.  As long as these requirements are not so
185  or your freedom to make and use modified versions privately.  Rules  burdensome that they effectively hamper you from releasing your
186  that ``if you make your version available in this way, you must make  changes, they are acceptable; you're already making other changes to
187  it available in that way also'' can be acceptable too, on the same  the program, so you won't have trouble making a few more.
188  condition.  (Note that such a rule still leaves you the choice of  </p>
189  whether to publish your version at all.)  Rules that require release  
190    <p>
191    A special issue arises when a license requires changing the name by
192    which the program will be invoked from other programs.  That
193    effectively hampers you from releasing your changed version so that it
194    can replace the original when invoked by those other programs.  This
195    sort of requirement is acceptable only if there's an suitable aliasing
196    facility that allows you to specify the original program's name as an
197    alias for the modified version.</p>
198    
199    <p>
200    Rules that &ldquo;if you make your version available in this way, you
201    must make it available in that way also&rdquo; can be acceptable too,
202    on the same condition.  An example of such an acceptable rule is one
203    saying that if you have distributed a
204    modified version and a previous developer asks for a copy of it, you
205    must send one.  (Note that such a rule still leaves you the choice of
206    whether to distribute your version at all.)  Rules that require release
207  of source code to the users for versions that you put into public use  of source code to the users for versions that you put into public use
208  are also acceptable.  It is also acceptable for the license to require  are also acceptable.
209  that, if you have distributed a modified version and a previous  </p>
210  developer asks for a copy of it, you must send one, or that you  
211  identify yourself on your modifications.  <p>
212  </p>  In the GNU project, we use
213  <p>  <a href="/copyleft/copyleft.html">copyleft</a>
214  In the GNU project, we use <a href="/copyleft/copyleft.html">``copyleft''</a>  to protect these freedoms legally for everyone.  But
215  to protect these freedoms legally for everyone.  But  <a href="/philosophy/categories.html#Non-CopyleftedFreeSoftware">noncopylefted
216  <a href="/philosophy/categories.html#Non-CopyleftedFreeSoftware">non-copylefted  free software</a> also exists.  We believe there are important reasons why
217  free software</a> also exists.  We believe there are  <a href="/philosophy/pragmatic.html">it is better to use copyleft</a>,
218  important reasons why <a href="/philosophy/pragmatic.html"> it is  but if your program is noncopylefted free software, it is still basically
219  better to use copyleft</a>, but if your program is non-copylefted free  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.)
220  software, we can still use it.</p>  </p>
221  <p>  
222  See <a href="/philosophy/categories.html">Categories of Free Software</a>  <p>
223  for a description of how ``free software,'' ``copylefted software'' and  Sometimes government <a id="exportcontrol">export control regulations</a>
224  other categories of software relate to each other.</p>  and trade sanctions can constrain your freedom to distribute copies of
225  <p>  programs internationally.  Software developers do not have the power to
226  Sometimes government <a id="exportcontrol">export control  eliminate or override these restrictions, but what they can and must do
227  regulations</a> and trade sanctions can constrain your freedom to  is refuse to impose them as conditions of use of the program.  In this
228  distribute copies of programs internationally.  Software developers do  way, the restrictions will not affect activities and people outside the
229  not have the power to eliminate or override these restrictions, but  jurisdictions of these governments.  Thus, free software licenses
230  what they can and must do is refuse to impose them as conditions of  must not require obedience to any export regulations as a condition of
231  use of the program.  In this way, the restrictions will not affect  any of the essential freedoms.
232  activities and people outside the jurisdictions of these governments.</p>  </p>
233  <p>  
234  Most free software licenses are based on copyright, and there are  <p>
235  limits on what kinds of requirements can be imposed through copyright.  Most free software licenses are based on copyright, and there are limits
236  If a copyright-based license respects freedom in the ways described  on what kinds of requirements can be imposed through copyright.  If a
237  above, it is unlikely to have some other sort of problem that we never  copyright-based license respects freedom in the ways described above, it
238  anticipated (though this does happen occasionally).  However, some  is unlikely to have some other sort of problem that we never anticipated
239  free software licenses are based on contracts, and contracts can  (though this does happen occasionally).  However, some free software
240  impose a much larger range of possible restrictions.  That means there  licenses are based on contracts, and contracts can impose a much larger
241  are many possible ways such a license could be unacceptably  range of possible restrictions.  That means there are many possible ways
242  restrictive and non-free.</p>  such a license could be unacceptably restrictive and nonfree.
243    </p>
244    
245  <p>  <p>
246  We can't possibly list all the ways that might happen.  If a  We can't possibly list all the ways that might happen.  If a
247  contract-based license restricts the user in an unusual way that  contract-based license restricts the user in an unusual way that
248  copyright-based licenses cannot, and which isn't mentioned here as  copyright-based licenses cannot, and which isn't mentioned here as
249  legitimate, we will have to think about it, and we will probably  legitimate, we will have to think about it, and we will probably conclude
250  conclude it is non-free.</p>  it is nonfree.
251    </p>
252    
253  <p>  <p>
254  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
255  ``give away'' or ``for free'', because those terms imply that the  like &ldquo;give away&rdquo; or &ldquo;for free,&rdquo; because those terms imply that
256  issue is about price, not freedom.  Some common terms such as  the issue is about price, not freedom.  Some common terms such
257  ``piracy'' embody opinions we hope you won't endorse.  See  as &ldquo;piracy&rdquo; embody opinions we hope you won't endorse.  See
258  <a href="/philosophy/words-to-avoid.html">Confusing Words and Phrases  <a href="/philosophy/words-to-avoid.html">Confusing Words and Phrases that
259  that are Worth Avoiding</a> for a discussion of these terms.  are Worth Avoiding</a> for a discussion of these terms.  We also have
260  We also have a list of <a href="/philosophy/fs-translations.html">translations  a list of proper <a href="/philosophy/fs-translations.html">translations of
261  of "free software"</a> into various languages.</p>  &ldquo;free software&rdquo;</a> into various languages.
262    </p>
263    
264  <p>  <p>
265  Finally, note that criteria such as those stated in this free software  Finally, note that criteria such as those stated in this free software
266  definition require careful thought for their interpretation.  To  definition require careful thought for their interpretation.  To decide
267  decide whether a specific software license qualifies as a free  whether a specific software license qualifies as a free software license,
268  software license, we judge it based on these criteria to determine  we judge it based on these criteria to determine whether it fits their
269  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
270  license includes unconscionable restrictions, we reject it, even if we  restrictions, we reject it, even if we did not anticipate the issue
271  did not anticipate the issue in these criteria.  Sometimes a license  in these criteria.  Sometimes a license requirement raises an issue
272  requirement raises an issue that calls for extensive thought,  that calls for extensive thought, including discussions with a lawyer,
273  including discussions with a lawyer, before we can decide if the  before we can decide if the requirement is acceptable.  When we reach
274  requirement is acceptable.  When we reach a conclusion about a new  a conclusion about a new issue, we often update these criteria to make
275  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.
276  certain licenses do or don't qualify.</p>  </p>
277  <p>  
278  If you are interested in whether a specific license qualifies as a  <p>
279  free software license, see our <a  If you are interested in whether a specific license qualifies as a free
280  href="/licenses/license-list.html">list of licenses</a>.  If the  software license, see our <a href="/licenses/license-list.html">list
281  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
282  about it by sending us email at <a  listed there, you can ask us about it by sending us email at
283  href="mailto:licensing@gnu.org">&lt;licensing@gnu.org&gt;</a>.</p> <p>  <a href="mailto:licensing@gnu.org">&lt;licensing@gnu.org&gt;</a>.
284  If you are contemplating writing a new license, please contact the FSF  </p>
285  by writing to that address. The proliferation of different free  
286  software licenses means increased work for users in understanding the  <p>
287  licenses; we may be able to help you find an existing Free Software  If you are contemplating writing a new license, please contact the
288  license that meets your needs.  Free Software Foundation first by writing to that address. The
289    proliferation of different free software licenses means increased work
290    for users in understanding the licenses; we may be able to help you
291    find an existing free software license that meets your needs.
292  </p>  </p>
293    
294  <p>  <p>
295  If that isn't possible, if you really need a new license, with our  If that isn't possible, if you really need a new license, with our
296  help you can ensure that the license really is a Free Software license  help you can ensure that the license really is a free software license
297  and avoid various practical problems.  and avoid various practical problems.
298  </p>  </p>
 <hr />  
299    
300  <p>  <h2 id="beyond-software">Beyond Software</h2>
 Another group has started using the term "open source" to mean  
 something close (but not identical) to "free software".  We prefer the  
 term "free software" because, once you have heard it refers to freedom  
 rather than price, <a href="free-software-for-freedom.html">it calls  
 to mind freedom</a>.  The word "open" never does that.</p>  
   
 <hr />  
 <h4><a href="/philosophy/philosophy.html">Other Texts to Read</a></h4>  
   
   
 <!-- All pages on the GNU web server should have the section about    -->  
 <!-- verbatim copying.  Please do NOT remove this without talking     -->  
 <!-- with the webmasters first. -->  
 <!-- Please make sure the copyright date is consistent with the document -->  
 <!-- and that it is like this "2001, 2002" not this "2001-2002." -->  
   
 <div class="translations">  
 <p><a id="translations"></a>  
 <b>Translations of this page</b>:<br />  
   
 <!-- Please keep this list alphabetical, and in the original -->  
 <!-- language if possible, otherwise default to English -->  
 <!-- If you do not have it English, please comment what the -->  
 <!-- English is.  If you add a new language here, please -->  
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 [  
   <a href="/philosophy/free-sw.ar.html">&#1575;&#1604;&#1593;&#1585;&#1576;&#1610;&#1577;</a> <!-- Arabic -->  
 | <a href="/philosophy/free-sw.bg.html">&#x431;&#x44A;&#x43B;&#x433;&#x430;&#x440;&#x441;&#x43A;&#x438;</a>  <!-- Bulgarian -->  
 | <a href="/philosophy/free-sw.ca.html">Catal&#x00e0;</a>       <!-- Catalan -->  
301    
302  <!-- Chinese (Simplified) -->  <p>
303  | <a href="/philosophy/free-sw.cn.html">&#x7b80;&#x4f53;&#x4e2d;&#x6587;</a>  <a href="/philosophy/free-doc.html">Software manuals must be free</a>,
304    for the same reasons that software must be free, and because the
305    manuals are in effect part of the software.
306    </p>
307    
308  <!-- Chinese (Traditional) -->  <p>
309  | <a href="/philosophy/free-sw.zh.html">&#x7e41;&#x9ad4;&#x4e2d;&#x6587;</a>  The same arguments also make sense for other kinds of works of
310    practical use &mdash; that is to say, works that embody useful knowledge,
311    such as educational works and reference
312    works.  <a href="http://wikipedia.org">Wikipedia</a> is the best-known
313    example.
314    </p>
315    
316  | <a href="/philosophy/free-sw.cs.html">&#x010c;esky</a>        <!-- Czech -->  <p>
317  | <a href="/philosophy/free-sw.da.html">Dansk</a>       <!-- Danish -->  Any kind of work <em>can</em> be free, and the definition of free software
318  | <a href="/philosophy/free-sw.de.html">Deutsch</a>     <!-- German -->  has been extended to a definition of <a href="http://freedomdefined.org/">
319  | <a href="/philosophy/free-sw.html">English</a>  free cultural works</a> applicable to any kind of works.
 | <a href="/philosophy/free-sw.el.html">Ελληνικά</a>  <!--Greek-->  
 | <a href="/philosophy/free-sw.es.html">Espa&#x00f1;ol</a>      <!-- Spanish -->  
 | <a href="/philosophy/free-sw.eo.html">Esperanto</a>  
   
 <!-- Persian/Farsi -->  
 | <a href="/philosophy/free-sw.fa.html">&#x0641;&#x0627;&#x0631;&#x0633;&#x06cc;</a>  
   
 | <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&#x0103;</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.sr.html">&#x0421;&#x0440;&#x043f;&#x0441;&#x043a;&#x0438;</a> <!-- Serbian -->  
 | <a href="/philosophy/free-sw.tl.html">Tagalog</a>     <!-- Tagalog -->  
 | <a href="/philosophy/free-sw.tr.html">T&#x00fc;rk&#x00e7;e</a>        <!-- Turkish -->  
 ]  
320  </p>  </p>
 </div>  
321    
322  <div class="copyright">  <h2 id="open-source">Open Source?</h2>
323    
324  <p>  <p>
325  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
326    something close (but not identical) to &ldquo;free software&rdquo;.  We
327    prefer the term &ldquo;free software&rdquo; because, once you have heard that
328    it refers to freedom rather than price, it calls to mind freedom.  The
329    word &ldquo;open&rdquo; <a href="/philosophy/open-source-misses-the-point.html">
330    never refers to freedom</a>.
331  </p>  </p>
332    
333    <h2 id="History">History</h2>
334    
335    <p>From time to time we revise this Free Software Definition.  Here is
336    the list of changes, along with links to show exactly what was
337    changed.</p>
338    
339    <ul>
340    
341    <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
342    1.111</a>: Clarify 1.77 by saying that only
343    retroactive <em>restrictions</em> are unacceptable.  The copyright
344    holders can always grant additional <em>permission</em> for use of the
345    work by releasing the work in another way in parallel.</li>
346    
347    <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
348    1.105</a>: Reflect, in the brief statement of freedom 1, the point
349    (already stated in version 1.80) that it includes really using your modified
350    version for your computing.</li>
351    
352    <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
353    1.92</a>: Clarify that obfuscated code does not qualify as source code.</li>
354    
355    <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
356    1.90</a>: Clarify that freedom 3 means the right to distribute copies
357    of your own modified or improved version, not a right to participate
358    in someone else's development project.</li>
359    
360    <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
361    1.89</a>: Freedom 3 includes the right to release modified versions as
362    free software.</li>
363    
364    <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
365    1.80</a>: Freedom 1 must be practical, not just theoretical;
366    i.e., no tivoization.</li>
367    
368    <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
369    1.77</a>: Clarify that all retroactive changes to the license are
370    unacceptable, even if it's not described as a complete
371    replacement.</li>
372    
373    <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
374    1.74</a>: Four clarifications of points not explicit enough, or stated
375    in some places but not reflected everywhere:
376    <ul>
377    <li>"Improvements" does not mean the license can
378    substantively limit what kinds of modified versions you can release.
379    Freedom 3 includes distributing modified versions, not just changes.</li>
380    <li>The right to merge in existing modules
381    refers to those that are suitably licensed.</li>
382    <li>Explicitly state the conclusion of the point about export controls.</li>
383    <li>Imposing a license change constitutes revoking the old license.</li>
384    </ul>
385    </li>
386    
387    <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
388    1.57</a>: Add &quot;Beyond Software&quot; section.</li>
389    
390    <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
391    1.46</a>: Clarify whose purpose is significant in the freedom to run
392    the program for any purpose.</li>
393    
394    <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
395    1.41</a>: Clarify wording about contract-based licenses.</li>
396    
397    <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
398    1.40</a>: Explain that a free license must allow to you use other
399    available free software to create your modifications.</li>
400    
401    <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
402    1.39</a>: Note that it is acceptable for a license to require you to
403    provide source for versions of the software you put into public
404    use.</li>
405    
406    <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
407    1.31</a>: Note that it is acceptable for a license to require you to
408    identify yourself as the author of modifications.  Other minor
409    clarifications throughout the text.</li>
410    
411    <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
412    1.23</a>: Address potential problems related to contract-based
413    licenses.</li>
414    
415    <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
416    1.16</a>: Explain why distribution of binaries is important.</li>
417    
418    <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
419    1.11</a>: Note that a free license may require you to send a copy of
420    versions you distribute to the author.</li>
421    
422    </ul>
423    
424    <p>There are gaps in the version numbers shown above because there are
425    other changes in this page that do not affect the definition as such.
426    These changes are in other parts of the page.  You can review the
427    complete list of changes to the page through
428    the <a href="http://web.cvs.savannah.gnu.org/viewvc/www/philosophy/free-sw.html?root=www&amp;view=log">cvsweb
429    interface</a>.</p>
430    
431    </div>
432    
433    <!--#include virtual="/server/footer.html" -->
434    
435    <div id="footer">
436    
437  <p>  <p>
438  Please send FSF &amp; GNU inquiries to  Please send FSF &amp; GNU inquiries to
439  <a href="mailto:gnu@gnu.org"><em>gnu@gnu.org</em></a>.  <a href="mailto:gnu@gnu.org">&lt;gnu@gnu.org&gt;</a>.
440  There are also <a href="/home.html#ContactInfo">other ways to contact</a>  There are also <a href="/contact/">other ways to contact</a>
441  the FSF.  the FSF.
442  <br />  <br />
443  Please send broken links and other corrections (or suggestions) to  Please send broken links and other corrections or suggestions to
444  <a href="mailto:webmasters@gnu.org"><em>webmasters@gnu.org</em></a>.  <a href="mailto:webmasters@gnu.org">&lt;webmasters@gnu.org&gt;</a>.
445  </p>  </p>
446    
447  <p>  <p>
# Line 314  translations of this article. Line 452  translations of this article.
452  </p>  </p>
453    
454  <p>  <p>
455  Copyright (C) 1996, 1997, 1998, 1999, 2000, 2001, 2002, 2003, 2004 Free  Copyright &copy; 1996, 1997, 1998, 1999, 2000, 2001, 2002, 2004,
456  Software Foundation, Inc., 51 Franklin St, Fifth Floor, Boston, MA  2005, 2006, 2007, 2009, 2010 Free Software Foundation, Inc.
457  02110,  USA  </p>
458  <br />  <p>This page is licensed under a <a rel="license"
459  Verbatim copying and distribution of this entire article is  href="http://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-nd/3.0/us/">Creative
460  permitted in any medium without royalty provided this notice is  Commons Attribution-NoDerivs 3.0 United States License</a>.
 preserved.  
461  </p>  </p>
462    
463  <p>  <p>
464  Updated:  Updated:
465  <!-- timestamp start -->  <!-- timestamp start -->
466  $Date$ $Author$  $Date$
467  <!-- timestamp end -->  <!-- timestamp end -->
468  </p>  </p>
469  </div>  </div>
470    
471    <!-- <div id="translations"> -->
472    <!-- <h4>Translations of this page</h4> -->
473    <!--  -->
474    <!-- Please keep this list alphabetical by language code. -->
475    <!--      Comment what the language is for each type, i.e. de is German. -->
476    <!--      Write the language name in its own language (Deutsch) in the text. -->
477    <!--      If you add a new language here, please -->
478    <!--      advise web-translators@gnu.org and add it to -->
479    <!--       - /home/www/html/server/standards/README.translations.html -->
480    <!--       - one of the lists under the section "Translations Underway" -->
481    <!--       - if there is a translation team, you also have to add an alias -->
482    <!--       to mail.gnu.org:/com/mailer/aliases -->
483    <!--      Please also check you have the language code right; see: -->
484    <!--      http://www.loc.gov/standards/iso639-2/php/code_list.php -->
485    <!--      If the 2-letter ISO 639-1 code is not available, -->
486    <!--      use the 3-letter ISO 639-2. -->
487    <!--      Please use W3C normative character entities. -->
488    <!--  -->
489    <!-- <ul class="translations-list"> -->
490    <!-- Afrikaans -->
491    <!-- <li><a href="/philosophy/free-sw.af.html">Afrikaans</a>&nbsp;[af]</li> -->
492    <!-- Arabic -->
493    <!-- <li><a href="/philosophy/free-sw.ar.html">&#1575;&#1604;&#1593;&#1585;&#1576;&#1610;&#1577;</a>&nbsp;[ar]</li> -->
494    <!-- Azerbaijani -->
495    <!-- <li><a href="/philosophy/free-sw.az.html">Az&#x0259;rbaycanca</a>&nbsp;[az]</li> -->
496    <!-- Bulgarian -->
497    <!-- <li><a href="/philosophy/free-sw.bg.html">&#x431;&#x44A;&#x43B;&#x433;&#x430;&#x440;&#x441;&#x43A;&#x438;</a>&nbsp;[bg]</li> -->
498    <!-- Bengali -->
499    <!-- <li><a href="/philosophy/free-sw.bn.html">&#2476;&#2494;&#2434;&#2482;&#2494;</a>&nbsp;[bn]</li> -->
500    <!-- Bosnian -->
501    <!-- <li><a href="/philosophy/free-sw.bs.html">bosanski</a>&nbsp;[bs]</li> -->
502    <!-- Catalan -->
503    <!-- <li><a href="/philosophy/free-sw.ca.html">catal&#x00e0;</a>&nbsp;[ca]</li> -->
504    <!-- Czech -->
505    <!-- <li><a href="/philosophy/free-sw.cs.html">&#x010c;esky</a>&nbsp;[cs]</li> -->
506    <!-- Danish -->
507    <!-- <li><a href="/philosophy/free-sw.da.html">dansk</a>&nbsp;[da]</li> -->
508    <!-- German -->
509    <!-- <li><a href="/philosophy/free-sw.de.html">Deutsch</a>&nbsp;[de]</li> -->
510    <!-- Greek -->
511    <!-- <li><a href="/philosophy/free-sw.el.html">&#x03b5;&#x03bb;&#x03bb;&#x03b7;&#x03bd;&#x03b9;&#x03ba;&#x03ac;</a>&nbsp;[el]</li> -->
512    <!-- English -->
513    <!-- <li><a href="/philosophy/free-sw.html">English</a>&nbsp;[en]</li> -->
514    <!-- Esperanto -->
515    <!-- <li><a href="/philosophy/free-sw.eo.html">Esperanto</a>&nbsp;[eo]</li> -->
516    <!-- Spanish -->
517    <!-- <li><a href="/philosophy/free-sw.es.html">espa&#x00f1;ol</a>&nbsp;[es]</li> -->
518    <!-- Farsi (Persian) -->
519    <!-- <li><a href="/philosophy/free-sw.fa.html">&#x0641;&#x0627;&#x0631;&#x0633;&#x06cc;</a>&nbsp;[fa]</li> -->
520    <!-- French -->
521    <!-- <li><a href="/philosophy/free-sw.fr.html">fran&#x00e7;ais</a>&nbsp;[fr]</li> -->
522    <!-- Galician -->
523    <!-- <li><a href="/philosophy/free-sw.gl.html">galego</a>&nbsp;[gl]</li> -->
524    <!-- Hebrew -->
525    <!-- <li><a href="/philosophy/free-sw.he.html">&#x05e2;&#x05d1;&#x05e8;&#x05d9;&#x05ea;</a>&nbsp;[he]</li> -->
526    <!-- Croatian -->
527    <!-- <li><a href="/philosophy/free-sw.hr.html">hrvatski</a>&nbsp;[hr]</li> -->
528    <!-- Hungarian -->
529    <!-- <li><a href="/philosophy/free-sw.hu.html">magyar</a>&nbsp;[hu]</li> -->
530    <!-- Indonesian -->
531    <!-- <li><a href="/philosophy/free-sw.id.html">Bahasa Indonesia</a>&nbsp;[id]</li> -->
532    <!-- Italian -->
533    <!-- <li><a href="/philosophy/free-sw.it.html">italiano</a>&nbsp;[it]</li> -->
534    <!-- Japanese -->
535    <!-- <li><a href="/philosophy/free-sw.ja.html">&#x65e5;&#x672c;&#x8a9e;</a>&nbsp;[ja]</li> -->
536    <!-- Korean -->
537    <!-- <li><a href="/philosophy/free-sw.ko.html">&#xd55c;&#xad6d;&#xc5b4;</a>&nbsp;[ko]</li> -->
538    <!-- Norwegian BokmÃ¥l -->
539    <!-- <li><a href="/philosophy/free-sw.nb.html">norsk (bokm&aring;l)</a>&nbsp;[nb]</li> -->
540    <!-- Dutch -->
541    <!-- <li><a href="/philosophy/free-sw.nl.html">Nederlands</a>&nbsp;[nl]</li> -->
542    <!-- Polish -->
543    <!-- <li><a href="/philosophy/free-sw.pl.html">polski</a>&nbsp;[pl]</li> -->
544    <!-- Brazilian Portuguese -->
545    <!-- <li><a href="/philosophy/free-sw.pt-br.html">portugu&#x0ea;s do Brasil</a>&nbsp;[pt-br]</li> -->
546    <!-- Romanian -->
547    <!-- <li><a href="/philosophy/free-sw.ro.html">rom&#x00e2;n&#x0103;</a>&nbsp;[ro]</li> -->
548    <!-- Russian -->
549    <!-- <li><a href="/philosophy/free-sw.ru.html">&#x0440;&#x0443;&#x0441;&#x0441;&#x043a;&#x0438;&#x0439;</a>&nbsp;[ru]</li> -->
550    <!-- Slovak -->
551    <!-- <li><a href="/philosophy/free-sw.sk.html">sloven&#269;ina</a>&nbsp;[sk]</li> -->
552    <!-- - Slovenian -->
553    <!-- <li><a href="/philosophy/free-sw.sl.html">sloven&scaron;&#269;ina</a>&nbsp;[sl]</li> -->
554    <!-- Serbian -->
555    <!-- <li><a href="/philosophy/free-sw.sr.html">&#x0441;&#x0440;&#x043f;&#x0441;&#x043a;&#x0438;</a>&nbsp;[sr]</li> -->
556    <!-- Swedish -->
557    <!-- <li><a href="/philosophy/free-sw.sv.html">svenska</a>&nbsp;[sv]</li> -->
558    <!-- Tamil -->
559    <!-- <li><a href="/philosophy/free-sw.ta.html">&#2980;&#2990;&#3007;&#2996;&#3021;</a>&nbsp;[ta]</li> -->
560    <!-- Tagalog -->
561    <!-- <li><a href="/philosophy/free-sw.tl.html">Tagalog</a>&nbsp;[tl]</li> -->
562    <!-- Turkish -->
563    <!-- <li><a href="/philosophy/free-sw.tr.html">T&#x00fc;rk&#x00e7;e</a>&nbsp;[tr]</li> -->
564    <!-- Chinese (Simplified) -->
565    <!-- <li><a href="/philosophy/free-sw.zh-cn.html">&#x7b80;&#x4f53;&#x4e2d;&#x6587;</a>&nbsp;[zh-cn]</li> -->
566    <!-- Chinese (Traditional) -->
567    <!-- <li><a href="/philosophy/free-sw.zh-tw.html">&#x7e41;&#x9ad4;&#x4e2d;&#x6587;</a>&nbsp;[zh-tw]</li> -->
568    <!-- </ul> -->
569    <!-- </div> -->
570    
571    </div>
572    
573  </body>  </body>
574  </html>  </html>
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