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- GNU Project - Free Software Foundation</title> |
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The Free Software Definition - GNU Project - Free Software Foundation (FSF) |
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<div class="article reduced-width"> |
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<div id="header"> |
<h2>What is Free Software?</h2> |
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<a href="http://www.defectivebydesign.org/join/gnu"> |
<div class="thin"></div> |
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<img src="/graphics/dbd.png" |
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alt="[Join the FSF Campaign to Eliminate DRM]" /> |
<div class="important"> |
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</a> |
<p> |
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</div> |
“Free software” means software that respects users' |
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freedom and community. Roughly, it means that <b>the users have the |
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<hr /> |
freedom to run, copy, distribute, study, change and improve the |
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software</b>. Thus, “free software” is a matter of |
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<p><a href="#translations">Translations</a> of this page</p> |
liberty, not price. To understand the concept, you should think of |
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“free” as in “free speech,” not as in |
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“free beer.” We sometimes call it “libre |
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software,” borrowing the French or Spanish word for |
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“free” as in freedom, to show we do not mean the software |
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is gratis. |
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</p> |
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<h3>The Free Software Definition</h3> |
|
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<p> |
<p> |
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<a href="/graphics/philosophicalgnu.html"> |
You may have paid money to get copies of a free program, or you may |
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<img src="/graphics/philosophical-gnu-sm.jpg" |
have obtained copies at no charge. But regardless of how you got your |
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alt=" [image of a Philosophical Gnu] " |
copies, you always have the freedom to copy and change the software, |
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width="160px" |
even to <a href="/philosophy/selling.html">sell copies</a>. |
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height="200px" /> |
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</a> |
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</p> |
</p> |
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</div> |
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<p> |
<p> |
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We maintain this free software definition to show clearly what must |
We campaign for these freedoms because everyone deserves them. With |
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be true about a particular software program for it to be considered |
these freedoms, the users (both individually and collectively) control |
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free software. |
the program and what it does for them. When users don't control the |
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program, we call it a “nonfree” or |
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“proprietary” program. The nonfree program controls the |
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users, and the developer controls the program; this makes the |
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program <a href="/philosophy/free-software-even-more-important.html"> |
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an instrument of unjust power</a>. |
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</p> |
</p> |
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|
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<p> |
<p> |
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<q>Free software</q> is a matter of liberty, not price. To understand |
“Open source” is something different: it has a very |
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the concept, you should think of <q>free</q> as in <q>free speech,</q> |
different philosophy based on different values. Its practical |
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not as in <q>free beer.</q> |
definition is different too, but nearly all open source programs are |
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in fact free. We explain the |
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difference in <a href="/philosophy/open-source-misses-the-point.html"> |
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Why “Open Source” misses the point of Free Software</a>. |
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</p> |
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|
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<div class="toc"> |
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<hr class="no-display" /> |
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<h3 class="no-display">Table of contents</h3> |
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<ul> |
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<li><a href="#fs-definition">The Free Software Definition</a> |
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<ul> |
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<li><a href="#four-freedoms">The four essential freedoms</a></li> |
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<li><a href="#selling">Free software <em>can</em> be commercial</a></li> |
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</ul> |
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</li> |
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<li><a href="#clarifying">Clarifying the Boundary Between Free and Nonfree</a> |
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<ul> |
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<li><a href="#run-the-program">The freedom to run the program as you |
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wish</a></li> |
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<li><a href="#make-changes">The freedom to study the source code and make |
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changes</a></li> |
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<li><a href="#redistribute">The freedom to redistribute if you wish: |
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basic requirements</a></li> |
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<li><a href="#copyleft">Copyleft</a></li> |
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<li><a href="#packaging">Rules about packaging and distribution |
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details</a></li> |
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<li><a href="#exportcontrol">Export regulations</a></li> |
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<li><a href="#legal-details">Legal considerations</a></li> |
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<li><a href="#contracts">Contract-based licenses</a></li> |
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</ul> |
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</li> |
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<li><a href="#in-practice">The Free Software Definition in Practice</a> |
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<ul> |
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<li><a href="#interpretation">How we interpret these criteria</a></li> |
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<li><a href="#get-help">Get help with free licenses</a></li> |
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<li><a href="#terminology">Use the right words when talking about free |
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software</a></li> |
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</ul> |
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</li> |
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<li><a href="#beyond-software">Beyond Software</a></li> |
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<li><a href="#History">History</a></li> |
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</ul> |
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</div> |
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<div class="edu-note" id="fsf-licensing" role="complementary"> |
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<p style="font-size:80%"> |
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Have a question about free software licensing not answered here? |
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See our other <a href="http://www.fsf.org/licensing">licensing resources</a>, |
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and if necessary contact the FSF Compliance Lab |
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at <a href="mailto:licensing@fsf.org">licensing@fsf.org</a>.</p> |
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<hr class="no-display" /> |
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</div> |
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<h3 id="fs-definition">The Free Software Definition</h3> |
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<p> |
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The free software definition presents the criteria for whether a |
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particular software program qualifies as free software. From time to |
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time we revise this definition, to clarify it or to resolve questions |
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about subtle issues. See the <a href="#History">History section</a> |
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below for a list of changes that affect the definition of free |
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software. |
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</p> |
</p> |
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|
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<h4 id="four-freedoms">The four essential freedoms</h4> |
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<p> |
<p> |
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Free software is a matter of the users' freedom to run, copy, distribute, |
A program is free software if the program's users have the |
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study, change and improve the software. More precisely, it refers to |
four essential freedoms: <a href="#f1">[1]</a> |
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four kinds of freedom, for the users of the software: |
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</p> |
</p> |
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|
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<ul> |
<ul class="important"> |
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<li>The freedom to run the program, for any purpose (freedom 0).</li> |
<li>The freedom to run the program as you wish, |
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<li>The freedom to study how the program works, and adapt it to |
for any purpose (freedom 0).</li> |
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your needs (freedom 1). Access to the source code is a precondition |
<li>The freedom to study how the program works, and change it so it |
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for this. |
does your computing as you wish (freedom 1). Access to the source |
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code is a precondition for this. |
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</li> |
</li> |
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<li>The freedom to redistribute copies so you can help your neighbor |
<li>The freedom to redistribute copies so you can help others |
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(freedom 2). |
(freedom 2). |
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</li> |
</li> |
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<li>The freedom to improve the program, and release your improvements |
<li>The freedom to distribute copies of your modified versions |
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to the public, so that the whole community benefits (freedom 3). |
to others (freedom 3). By doing this you can give the whole |
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community a chance to benefit from your changes. |
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Access to the source code is a precondition for this. |
Access to the source code is a precondition for this. |
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</li> |
</li> |
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</ul> |
</ul> |
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<p> |
<p> |
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A program is free software if users have all of these freedoms. Thus, |
A program is free software if it gives users adequately all of these |
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you should be free to redistribute copies, either with or without |
freedoms. Otherwise, it is nonfree. While we can distinguish various |
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modifications, either gratis or charging a fee for distribution, to |
nonfree distribution schemes in terms of how far they fall short of |
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being free, we consider them all equally unethical.</p> |
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<p>In any given scenario, these freedoms must apply to whatever code |
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we plan to make use of, or lead others to make use of. For instance, |
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consider a program A which automatically launches a program B to |
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handle some cases. If we plan to distribute A as it stands, that |
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implies users will need B, so we need to judge whether both A and B |
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are free. However, if we plan to modify A so that it doesn't use B, |
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only A needs to be free; B is not pertinent to that plan.</p> |
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<h4 id="selling">Free software <em>can</em> be commercial</h4> |
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<p> |
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“Free software” does not mean “noncommercial.” |
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On the contrary, a free program must be available for commercial use, |
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commercial development, and commercial distribution. This policy is |
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of fundamental importance—without this, free software could not |
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achieve its aims. |
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</p> |
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<p> |
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We want to invite everyone to use the GNU system, including businesses |
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and their workers. That requires allowing commercial use. We hope |
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that free replacement programs will supplant comparable proprietary |
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programs, but they can't do that if businesses are forbidden to use |
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them. We want commercial products that contain software to include |
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the GNU system, and that would constitute commercial distribution for |
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a price. Commercial development of free software is no longer |
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unusual; such free commercial software is very important. Paid, |
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professional support for free software fills an important need. |
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</p> |
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<p> |
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Thus, to exclude commercial use, commercial development or commercial |
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distribution would hobble the free software community and obstruct its |
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path to success. We must conclude that a program licensed with such |
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restrictions does not qualify as free software. |
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</p> |
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<p> |
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A free program must offer the four freedoms to any would-be user that |
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obtains a copy of the software, who has complied thus far with the |
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conditions of the free license covering the software in any previous |
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distribution of it. Putting some of the freedoms off limits to some |
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users, or requiring that users pay, in money or in kind, to exercise |
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them, is tantamount to not granting the freedoms in question, and thus |
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renders the program nonfree. |
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</p> |
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<h3 id="clarifying">Clarifying the Boundary Between Free and Nonfree</h3> |
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<p>In the rest of this article we explain more precisely how far the |
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various freedoms need to extend, on various issues, in order for a |
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program to be free.</p> |
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<h4 id="run-the-program">The freedom to run the program as you wish</h4> |
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<p> |
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The freedom to run the program means the freedom for any kind of person |
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or organization to use it on any kind of computer system, for any kind of |
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overall job and purpose, without being required to communicate about it |
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with the developer or any other specific entity. In this freedom, it is |
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the <em>user's</em> purpose that matters, not the <em>developer's</em> |
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purpose; you as a user are free to run the program for your purposes, |
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and if you distribute it to other people, they are then free to run it for |
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their purposes, but you are not entitled to impose your purposes on them. |
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</p> |
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<p> |
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The freedom to run the program as you wish means that you are not |
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forbidden or stopped from making it run. This has nothing to do with what |
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functionality the program has, whether it is technically capable of |
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functioning in any given environment, or whether it is useful for any |
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particular computing activity.</p> |
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<p>For example, if the code arbitrarily rejects certain meaningful |
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inputs—or even fails unconditionally—that may make the |
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program less useful, perhaps even totally useless, but it does not |
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deny users the freedom to run the program, so it does not conflict |
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with freedom 0. If the program is free, the users can overcome the |
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loss of usefulness, because freedoms 1 and 3 permit users and |
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communities to make and distribute modified versions without the |
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arbitrary nuisance code.</p> |
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<p>“As you wish” includes, optionally, “not at |
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all” if that is what you wish. So there is no need for a |
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separate “freedom not to run a program.”</p> |
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<h4 id="make-changes">The freedom to study the source code and make changes</h4> |
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<p> |
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In order for freedoms 1 and 3 (the freedom to make changes and the |
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freedom to publish the changed versions) to be meaningful, you need to have |
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access to the source code of the program. Therefore, accessibility of |
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source code is a necessary condition for free software. Obfuscated |
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“source code” is not real source code and does not count |
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as source code. |
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</p> |
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<p> |
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Source code is defined as the preferred form of the program for making |
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changes in. Thus, whatever form a developer changes to develop |
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the program is the source code of that developer's version. |
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</p> |
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<p> |
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Freedom 1 includes the freedom to use your changed version in place of |
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the original. If the program is delivered in a product designed to |
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run someone else's modified versions but refuse to run yours—a |
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practice known as “tivoization” or “lockdown,” |
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or (in its practitioners' perverse terminology) as “secure |
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boot”—freedom 1 becomes an empty pretense rather than a |
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practical reality. These binaries are not free |
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software even if the source code they are compiled from is free. |
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</p> |
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<p> |
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One important way to modify a program is by merging in available free |
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subroutines and modules. If the program's license says that you |
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cannot merge in a suitably licensed existing module—for instance, if it |
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requires you to be the copyright holder of any code you add—then the |
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license is too restrictive to qualify as free. |
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</p> |
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<p> |
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Whether a change constitutes an improvement is a subjective matter. |
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If your right to modify a program is limited, in substance, to changes that |
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someone else considers an improvement, that program is not free. |
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</p> |
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<p> |
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One special case of freedom 1 is to delete the program's code so it |
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returns after doing nothing, or make it invoke some other program. |
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Thus, freedom 1 includes the “freedom to delete the program.” |
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</p> |
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<h4 id="redistribute">The freedom to redistribute if you wish: basic |
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requirements</h4> |
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<p>Freedom to distribute (freedoms 2 and 3) means you are free to |
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redistribute copies, either with or without modifications, either |
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gratis or charging a fee for distribution, to |
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<a href="#exportcontrol">anyone anywhere</a>. Being free to do these |
<a href="#exportcontrol">anyone anywhere</a>. Being free to do these |
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things means (among other things) that you do not have to ask or pay |
things means (among other things) that you do not have to ask or pay |
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for permission. |
for permission to do so. |
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</p> |
</p> |
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<p> |
<p> |
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</p> |
</p> |
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|
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<p> |
<p> |
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The freedom to run the program means the freedom for any kind of person |
Freedom 3 includes the freedom to release your modified versions |
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or organization to use it on any kind of computer system, for any kind of |
as free software. A free license may also permit other ways of |
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overall job and purpose, without being required to communicate about it |
releasing them; in other words, it does not have to be |
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with the developer or any other specific entity. In this freedom, it is |
a <a href="/licenses/copyleft.html">copyleft</a> license. However, a |
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the <em>user's</em> purpose that matters, not the <em>developer's</em> |
license that requires modified versions to be nonfree does not qualify |
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purpose; you as a user are free to run a program for your purposes, |
as a free license. |
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and if you distribute it to someone else, she is then free to run it |
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for her purposes, but you are not entitled to impose your purposes on her. |
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</p> |
</p> |
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|
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<p> |
<p> |
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The freedom to redistribute copies must include binary or executable |
The freedom to redistribute copies must include binary or executable |
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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 |
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unmodified versions. (Distributing programs in runnable form is necessary |
unmodified versions. (Distributing programs in runnable form is necessary |
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for conveniently installable free operating systems.) It is ok if there |
for conveniently installable free operating systems.) It is OK if there |
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is no way to produce a binary or executable form for a certain program |
is no way to produce a binary or executable form for a certain program |
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(since some languages don't support that feature), but you must have the |
(since some languages don't support that feature), but you must have the |
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freedom to redistribute such forms should you find or develop a way to |
freedom to redistribute such forms should you find or develop a way to |
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make them. |
make them. |
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</p> |
</p> |
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<h4 id="copyleft">Copyleft</h4> |
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<p> |
<p> |
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In order for the freedoms to make changes, and to publish improved |
Certain kinds of rules about the manner of distributing free |
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versions, to be meaningful, you must have access to the source code of |
software are acceptable, when they don't conflict with the central |
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the program. Therefore, accessibility of source code is a necessary |
freedoms. For example, <a href="/licenses/copyleft.html">copyleft</a> |
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condition for free software. |
(very simply stated) is the rule that when redistributing the program, |
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you cannot add restrictions to deny other people the central freedoms. |
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This rule does not conflict with the central freedoms; rather it |
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protects them. |
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</p> |
</p> |
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<p> |
<p> |
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One important way to modify a program is by merging in available |
In the GNU project, we use copyleft to protect the four freedoms |
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free subroutines and modules. If the program's license says that you |
legally for everyone. We believe there are important reasons why |
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cannot merge in an existing module, such as if it requires you to be the |
<a href="/philosophy/pragmatic.html">it is better to use |
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copyright holder of any code you add, then the license is too restrictive |
copyleft</a>. However, |
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to qualify as free. |
<a href="/philosophy/categories.html#Non-CopyleftedFreeSoftware"> |
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noncopylefted free software</a> is ethical |
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too. See <a href="/philosophy/categories.html">Categories of Free |
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Software</a> for a description of how “free software,” |
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“copylefted software” and other categories of software |
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relate to each other. |
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</p> |
</p> |
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<h4 id="packaging">Rules about packaging and distribution details</h4> |
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<p> |
<p> |
357 |
In order for these freedoms to be real, they must be irrevocable as |
Rules about how to package a modified version are acceptable, |
358 |
long as you do nothing wrong; if the developer of the software has the |
if they don't substantively limit your freedom to release modified |
359 |
power to revoke the license, without your doing anything to give cause, |
versions, or your freedom to make and use modified versions privately. |
360 |
the software is not free. |
Thus, it is acceptable for the license to require that you change the |
361 |
|
name of the modified version, remove a logo, or identify your |
362 |
|
modifications as yours. As long as these requirements are not so |
363 |
|
burdensome that they effectively hamper you from releasing your |
364 |
|
changes, they are acceptable; you're already making other changes to |
365 |
|
the program, so you won't have trouble making a few more. |
366 |
</p> |
</p> |
367 |
|
|
368 |
<p> |
<p> |
369 |
However, certain kinds of rules about the manner of distributing free |
Rules that “if you make your version available in this way, you |
370 |
software are acceptable, when they don't conflict with the central |
must make it available in that way also” can be acceptable too, |
371 |
freedoms. For example, copyleft (very simply stated) is the rule that |
on the same condition. An example of such an acceptable rule is one |
372 |
when redistributing the program, you cannot add restrictions to deny |
saying that if you have distributed a |
373 |
other people the central freedoms. This rule does not conflict with |
modified version and a previous developer asks for a copy of it, you |
374 |
the central freedoms; rather it protects them. |
must send one. (Note that such a rule still leaves you the choice of |
375 |
|
whether to distribute your version at all.) Rules that require release |
376 |
|
of source code to the users for versions that you put into public use |
377 |
|
are also acceptable. |
378 |
</p> |
</p> |
379 |
|
|
380 |
<p> |
<p> |
381 |
You may have paid money to get copies of free software, or you may have |
A special issue arises when a license requires changing the name by |
382 |
obtained copies at no charge. But regardless of how you got your copies, |
which the program will be invoked from other programs. That |
383 |
you always have the freedom to copy and change the software, even to |
effectively hampers you from releasing your changed version so that it |
384 |
<a href="/philosophy/selling.html">sell copies</a>. |
can replace the original when invoked by those other programs. This |
385 |
</p> |
sort of requirement is acceptable only if there's a suitable aliasing |
386 |
|
facility that allows you to specify the original program's name as an |
387 |
|
alias for the modified version.</p> |
388 |
|
|
389 |
|
<h4 id="exportcontrol">Export regulations</h4> |
390 |
|
|
391 |
<p> |
<p> |
392 |
<q>Free software</q> does not mean <q>non-commercial.</q> A free |
Sometimes government export control regulations |
393 |
program must be available for commercial use, commercial development, |
and trade sanctions can constrain your freedom to distribute copies of |
394 |
and commercial distribution. Commercial development of free software |
programs internationally. Software developers do not have the power to |
395 |
is no longer unusual; such free commercial software is very important. |
eliminate or override these restrictions, but what they can and must do |
396 |
|
is refuse to impose them as conditions of use of the program. In this |
397 |
|
way, the restrictions will not affect activities and people outside the |
398 |
|
jurisdictions of these governments. Thus, free software licenses |
399 |
|
must not require obedience to any nontrivial export regulations as a |
400 |
|
condition of exercising any of the essential freedoms. |
401 |
</p> |
</p> |
402 |
|
|
403 |
<p> |
<p> |
404 |
Rules about how to package a modified version are acceptable, if they |
Merely mentioning the existence of export regulations, without making |
405 |
don't substantively block your freedom to release modified versions, or |
them a condition of the license itself, is acceptable since it does |
406 |
your freedom to make and use modified versions privately. Rules that <q>if |
not restrict users. If an export regulation is actually trivial for |
407 |
you make your version available in this way, you must make it available in |
free software, then requiring it as a condition is not an actual |
408 |
that way also</q> can be acceptable too, on the same condition. (Note that |
problem; however, it is a potential problem, since a later change in |
409 |
such a rule still leaves you the choice of whether to publish your version |
export law could make the requirement nontrivial and thus render the |
410 |
at all.) Rules that require release of source code to the users for |
software nonfree. |
|
versions that you put into public use are also acceptable. It is also |
|
|
acceptable for the license to require that, if you have distributed a |
|
|
modified version and a previous developer asks for a copy of it, you |
|
|
must send one, or that you identify yourself on your modifications. |
|
411 |
</p> |
</p> |
412 |
|
|
413 |
|
<h4 id="legal-details">Legal considerations</h4> |
414 |
|
|
415 |
<p> |
<p> |
416 |
In the GNU project, we use |
In order for these freedoms to be real, they must be permanent and |
417 |
<q><a href="/copyleft/copyleft.html">copyleft</a></q> |
irrevocable as long as you do nothing wrong; if the developer of the |
418 |
to protect these freedoms legally for everyone. But |
software has the power to revoke the license, or retroactively add |
419 |
<a href="/philosophy/categories.html#Non-CopyleftedFreeSoftware">non-copylefted |
restrictions to its terms, without your doing anything wrong to give |
420 |
free software</a> also exists. We believe there are important reasons why |
cause, the software is not free. |
|
<a href="/philosophy/pragmatic.html"> it is better to use copyleft</a>, |
|
|
but if your program is non-copylefted free software, we can still |
|
|
use it. |
|
421 |
</p> |
</p> |
422 |
|
|
423 |
<p> |
<p> |
424 |
See <a href="/philosophy/categories.html">Categories of Free Software</a> |
A free license may not require compliance with the license of a |
425 |
for a description of how <q>free software,</q> <q>copylefted software</q> |
nonfree program. Thus, for instance, if a license requires you to |
426 |
and other categories of software relate to each other. |
comply with the licenses of “all the programs you use,” in |
427 |
|
the case of a user that runs nonfree programs this would require |
428 |
|
compliance with the licenses of those nonfree programs; that makes the |
429 |
|
license nonfree. |
430 |
</p> |
</p> |
431 |
|
|
432 |
<p> |
<p> |
433 |
Sometimes government <a id="exportcontrol">export control regulations</a> |
It is acceptable for a free license to specify which jurisdiction's |
434 |
and trade sanctions can constrain your freedom to distribute copies of |
law applies, or where litigation must be done, or both. |
|
programs internationally. Software developers do not have the power to |
|
|
eliminate or override these restrictions, but what they can and must do |
|
|
is refuse to impose them as conditions of use of the program. In this |
|
|
way, the restrictions will not affect activities and people outside the |
|
|
jurisdictions of these governments. |
|
435 |
</p> |
</p> |
436 |
|
|
437 |
|
<h4 id="contracts">Contract-based licenses</h4> |
438 |
|
|
439 |
<p> |
<p> |
440 |
Most free software licenses are based on copyright, and there are limits |
Most free software licenses are based on copyright, and there are limits |
441 |
on what kinds of requirements can be imposed through copyright. If a |
on what kinds of requirements can be imposed through copyright. If a |
444 |
(though this does happen occasionally). However, some free software |
(though this does happen occasionally). However, some free software |
445 |
licenses are based on contracts, and contracts can impose a much larger |
licenses are based on contracts, and contracts can impose a much larger |
446 |
range of possible restrictions. That means there are many possible ways |
range of possible restrictions. That means there are many possible ways |
447 |
such a license could be unacceptably restrictive and non-free. |
such a license could be unacceptably restrictive and nonfree. |
448 |
</p> |
</p> |
449 |
|
|
450 |
<p> |
<p> |
452 |
contract-based license restricts the user in an unusual way that |
contract-based license restricts the user in an unusual way that |
453 |
copyright-based licenses cannot, and which isn't mentioned here as |
copyright-based licenses cannot, and which isn't mentioned here as |
454 |
legitimate, we will have to think about it, and we will probably conclude |
legitimate, we will have to think about it, and we will probably conclude |
455 |
it is non-free. |
it is nonfree. |
456 |
</p> |
</p> |
457 |
|
|
458 |
<p> |
<h3 id="in-practice">The Free Software Definition in Practice</h3> |
459 |
When talking about free software, it is best to avoid using terms |
|
460 |
like <q>give away</q> or <q>for free,</q> because those terms imply that |
<h4 id="interpretation">How we interpret these criteria</h4> |
|
the issue is about price, not freedom. Some common terms such |
|
|
as <q>piracy</q> embody opinions we hope you won't endorse. See |
|
|
<a href="/philosophy/words-to-avoid.html">Confusing Words and Phrases that |
|
|
are Worth Avoiding</a> for a discussion of these terms. We also have |
|
|
a list of <a href="/philosophy/fs-translations.html">translations of |
|
|
<q>free software</q></a> into various languages. |
|
|
</p> |
|
461 |
|
|
462 |
<p> |
<p> |
463 |
Finally, note that criteria such as those stated in this free software |
Note that criteria such as those stated in this free software |
464 |
definition require careful thought for their interpretation. To decide |
definition require careful thought for their interpretation. To decide |
465 |
whether a specific software license qualifies as a free software license, |
whether a specific software license qualifies as a free software license, |
466 |
we judge it based on these criteria to determine whether it fits their |
we judge it based on these criteria to determine whether it fits their |
473 |
it easier to see why certain licenses do or don't qualify. |
it easier to see why certain licenses do or don't qualify. |
474 |
</p> |
</p> |
475 |
|
|
476 |
|
<h4 id="get-help">Get help with free licenses</h4> |
477 |
|
|
478 |
<p> |
<p> |
479 |
If you are interested in whether a specific license qualifies as a free |
If you are interested in whether a specific license qualifies as a free |
480 |
software license, see our <a href="/licenses/license-list.html">list |
software license, see our <a href="/licenses/license-list.html">list |
484 |
</p> |
</p> |
485 |
|
|
486 |
<p> |
<p> |
487 |
If you are contemplating writing a new license, please contact the FSF |
If you are contemplating writing a new license, please contact the |
488 |
by writing to that address. The proliferation of different free software |
Free Software Foundation first by writing to that address. The |
489 |
licenses means increased work for users in understanding the licenses; |
proliferation of different free software licenses means increased work |
490 |
we may be able to help you find an existing Free Software license that |
for users in understanding the licenses; we may be able to help you |
491 |
meets your needs. |
find an existing free software license that meets your needs. |
492 |
</p> |
</p> |
493 |
|
|
494 |
<p> |
<p> |
495 |
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 |
496 |
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 |
497 |
and avoid various practical problems. |
and avoid various practical problems. |
498 |
</p> |
</p> |
499 |
|
|
500 |
<hr /> |
<h4 id="terminology">Use the right words when talking about free software</h4> |
501 |
|
|
502 |
<p> |
<p> |
503 |
Another group has started using the term <q>open source</q> to mean |
When talking about free software, it is best to avoid using terms |
504 |
something close (but not identical) to <q>free software.</q> We prefer |
like “give away” or “for free,” because those terms imply that |
505 |
the term <q>free software</q> because, once you have heard it refers to |
the issue is about price, not freedom. Some common terms such |
506 |
freedom rather than price, <a href="free-software-for-freedom.html">it |
as “piracy” embody opinions we hope you won't endorse. See |
507 |
calls to mind freedom</a>. The word <q>open</q> never does that. |
<a href="/philosophy/words-to-avoid.html">Confusing Words and Phrases that |
508 |
</p> |
are Worth Avoiding</a> for a discussion of these terms. We also have |
509 |
|
a list of proper <a href="/philosophy/fs-translations.html">translations of |
510 |
<hr /> |
“free software”</a> into various languages. |
|
|
|
|
<h4><a href="/philosophy/philosophy.html">Other Texts to Read</a></h4> |
|
|
|
|
|
<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 --> |
|
|
<!-- advise web-translators@gnu.org and add it to --> |
|
|
<!-- - in /home/www/bin/nightly-vars either TAGSLANG or WEBLANG --> |
|
|
<!-- - in /home/www/html/server/standards/README.translations.html --> |
|
|
<!-- one of the lists under the section "Translations Underway" --> |
|
|
<!-- - if there is a translation team, you also have to add an alias --> |
|
|
<!-- to mail.gnu.org:/com/mailer/aliases --> |
|
|
<!-- Please also check you have the 2 letter language code right versus --> |
|
|
<!-- http://www.w3.org/WAI/ER/IG/ert/iso639.htm --> |
|
|
[ |
|
|
<a href="/philosophy/free-sw.ar.html">العربية</a> <!-- Arabic --> |
|
|
| <a href="/philosophy/free-sw.bg.html">български</a> <!-- Bulgarian --> |
|
|
| <a href="/philosophy/free-sw.ca.html">Català</a> <!-- Catalan --> |
|
|
|
|
|
<!-- Chinese (Simplified) --> |
|
|
| <a href="/philosophy/free-sw.cn.html">简体中文</a> |
|
|
|
|
|
<!-- Chinese (Traditional) --> |
|
|
| <a href="/philosophy/free-sw.zh.html">繁體中文</a> |
|
|
|
|
|
| <a href="/philosophy/free-sw.cs.html">Česky</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.el.html">Ελληνικά</a> <!--Greek--> |
|
|
| <a href="/philosophy/free-sw.es.html">Español</a> <!-- Spanish --> |
|
|
| <a href="/philosophy/free-sw.eo.html">Esperanto</a> |
|
|
|
|
|
<!-- Persian/Farsi --> |
|
|
| <a href="/philosophy/free-sw.fa.html">فارسی</a> |
|
|
|
|
|
| <a href="/philosophy/free-sw.fr.html">Français</a> <!-- French --> |
|
|
| <a href="/philosophy/free-sw.gl.html">Galego</a> <!-- Galician --> |
|
|
| <a href="/philosophy/free-sw.he.html">עברית</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">日本語</a> <!-- Japanese --> |
|
|
| <a href="/philosophy/free-sw.ko.html">한국어</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">Português</a> <!-- Portuguese --> |
|
|
| <a href="/philosophy/free-sw.ro.html">Română</a> <!-- Romanian --> |
|
|
| <a href="/philosophy/free-sw.ru.html">Русский</a> <!-- Russian --> |
|
|
| <a href="/philosophy/free-sw.sl.html">Slovinsko</a> <!--- Slovenian --> |
|
|
| <a href="/philosophy/free-sw.sr.html">Српски</a> <!-- Serbian --> |
|
|
| <a href="/philosophy/free-sw.tl.html">Tagalog</a> <!-- Tagalog --> |
|
|
| <a href="/philosophy/free-sw.tr.html">Türkçe</a> <!-- Turkish --> |
|
|
] |
|
511 |
</p> |
</p> |
|
</div> |
|
512 |
|
|
513 |
<div class="copyright"> |
<p id="open-source"> |
514 |
<p> |
Another group uses the term “open source” to mean |
515 |
Return to the <a href="/home.html">GNU Project home page</a>. |
something close (but not identical) to “free software.” We |
516 |
|
prefer the term “free software” because, once you have heard that |
517 |
|
it refers to freedom rather than price, it calls to mind freedom. The |
518 |
|
word “open” never refers to freedom. |
519 |
</p> |
</p> |
520 |
|
|
521 |
|
<h3 id="beyond-software">Beyond Software</h3> |
522 |
|
|
523 |
<p> |
<p> |
524 |
Please send FSF & GNU inquiries to |
<a href="/philosophy/free-doc.html">Software manuals must be free</a>, |
525 |
<a href="mailto:gnu@gnu.org"><em>gnu@gnu.org</em></a>. |
for the same reasons that software must be free, and because the |
526 |
There are also <a href="/home.html#ContactInfo">other ways to contact</a> |
manuals are in effect part of the software. |
|
the FSF. |
|
|
<br /> |
|
|
Please send broken links and other corrections (or suggestions) to |
|
|
<a href="mailto:webmasters@gnu.org"><em>webmasters@gnu.org</em></a>. |
|
527 |
</p> |
</p> |
528 |
|
|
529 |
<p> |
<p> |
530 |
Please see the |
The same arguments also make sense for other kinds of works of |
531 |
<a href="/server/standards/README.translations.html">Translations |
practical use—that is to say, works that embody useful knowledge, |
532 |
README</a> for information on coordinating and submitting |
such as educational works and reference |
533 |
translations of this article. |
works. <a href="https://wikipedia.org">Wikipedia</a> is the best-known |
534 |
|
example. |
535 |
</p> |
</p> |
536 |
|
|
537 |
<p> |
<p> |
538 |
Copyright (C) 1996, 1997, 1998, 1999, 2000, 2001, 2002, 2003, 2004 Free |
Any kind of work <em>can</em> be free, and the definition of free software |
539 |
Software Foundation, Inc., 51 Franklin St, Fifth Floor, Boston, MA |
has been extended to a definition of <a href="http://freedomdefined.org/"> |
540 |
02110, USA |
free cultural works</a> applicable to any kind of works. |
|
<br /> |
|
|
Verbatim copying and distribution of this entire article is |
|
|
permitted in any medium without royalty provided this notice is |
|
|
preserved. |
|
541 |
</p> |
</p> |
542 |
|
|
543 |
<p> |
<h3 id="History">History</h3> |
544 |
Updated: |
|
545 |
|
<p>From time to time we revise this Free Software Definition. Here is |
546 |
|
the list of substantive changes, along with links to show exactly what |
547 |
|
was changed.</p> |
548 |
|
|
549 |
|
<ul> |
550 |
|
|
551 |
|
<li><a href="//web.cvs.savannah.gnu.org/viewvc/www/philosophy/free-sw.html?root=www&r1=1.168&r2=1.169">Version |
552 |
|
1.169</a>: Explain more clearly why the four freedoms must apply |
553 |
|
to commercial activity. Explain why the four freedoms imply the |
554 |
|
freedom not to run the program and the freedom to delete it, so there |
555 |
|
is no need to state those as separate requirements.</li> |
556 |
|
|
557 |
|
<li><a href="//web.cvs.savannah.gnu.org/viewvc/www/philosophy/free-sw.html?root=www&r1=1.164&r2=1.165">Version |
558 |
|
1.165</a>: Clarify that arbitrary annoyances in the code do not |
559 |
|
negate freedom 0, and that freedoms 1 and 3 enable users to remove them.</li> |
560 |
|
|
561 |
|
<li><a href="//web.cvs.savannah.gnu.org/viewvc/www/philosophy/free-sw.html?root=www&r1=1.152&r2=1.153">Version |
562 |
|
1.153</a>: Clarify that freedom to run the program means nothing stops |
563 |
|
you from making it run.</li> |
564 |
|
|
565 |
|
<li><a href="//web.cvs.savannah.gnu.org/viewvc/www/philosophy/free-sw.html?root=www&r1=1.140&r2=1.141">Version |
566 |
|
1.141</a>: Clarify which code needs to be free.</li> |
567 |
|
|
568 |
|
<li><a href="//web.cvs.savannah.gnu.org/viewvc/www/philosophy/free-sw.html?root=www&r1=1.134&r2=1.135">Version |
569 |
|
1.135</a>: Say each time that freedom 0 is the freedom to run the program |
570 |
|
as you wish.</li> |
571 |
|
|
572 |
|
<li><a href="//web.cvs.savannah.gnu.org/viewvc/www/philosophy/free-sw.html?root=www&r1=1.133&r2=1.134">Version |
573 |
|
1.134</a>: Freedom 0 is not a matter of the program's functionality.</li> |
574 |
|
|
575 |
|
<li><a href="//web.cvs.savannah.gnu.org/viewvc/www/philosophy/free-sw.html?root=www&r1=1.130&r2=1.131">Version |
576 |
|
1.131</a>: A free license may not require compliance with a nonfree license |
577 |
|
of another program.</li> |
578 |
|
|
579 |
|
<li><a href="//web.cvs.savannah.gnu.org/viewvc/www/philosophy/free-sw.html?root=www&r1=1.128&r2=1.129">Version |
580 |
|
1.129</a>: State explicitly that choice of law and choice of forum |
581 |
|
specifications are allowed. (This was always our policy.)</li> |
582 |
|
|
583 |
|
<li><a href="//web.cvs.savannah.gnu.org/viewvc/www/philosophy/free-sw.html?root=www&r1=1.121&r2=1.122">Version |
584 |
|
1.122</a>: An export control requirement is a real problem if the |
585 |
|
requirement is nontrivial; otherwise it is only a potential problem.</li> |
586 |
|
|
587 |
|
<li><a href="//web.cvs.savannah.gnu.org/viewvc/www/philosophy/free-sw.html?root=www&r1=1.117&r2=1.118">Version |
588 |
|
1.118</a>: Clarification: the issue is limits on your right to modify, |
589 |
|
not on what modifications you have made. And modifications are not limited |
590 |
|
to “improvements”</li> |
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|
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<li><a href="//web.cvs.savannah.gnu.org/viewvc/www/philosophy/free-sw.html?root=www&r1=1.110&r2=1.111">Version |
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|
1.111</a>: Clarify 1.77 by saying that only |
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retroactive <em>restrictions</em> are unacceptable. The copyright |
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holders can always grant additional <em>permission</em> for use of the |
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work by releasing the work in another way in parallel.</li> |
597 |
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|
598 |
|
<li><a href="//web.cvs.savannah.gnu.org/viewvc/www/philosophy/free-sw.html?root=www&r1=1.104&r2=1.105">Version |
599 |
|
1.105</a>: Reflect, in the brief statement of freedom 1, the point |
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|
(already stated in version 1.80) that it includes really using your modified |
601 |
|
version for your computing.</li> |
602 |
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|
603 |
|
<li><a href="//web.cvs.savannah.gnu.org/viewvc/www/philosophy/free-sw.html?root=www&r1=1.91&r2=1.92">Version |
604 |
|
1.92</a>: Clarify that obfuscated code does not qualify as source code.</li> |
605 |
|
|
606 |
|
<li><a href="//web.cvs.savannah.gnu.org/viewvc/www/philosophy/free-sw.html?root=www&r1=1.89&r2=1.90">Version |
607 |
|
1.90</a>: Clarify that freedom 3 means the right to distribute copies |
608 |
|
of your own modified or improved version, not a right to participate |
609 |
|
in someone else's development project.</li> |
610 |
|
|
611 |
|
<li><a href="//web.cvs.savannah.gnu.org/viewvc/www/philosophy/free-sw.html?root=www&r1=1.88&r2=1.89">Version |
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|
1.89</a>: Freedom 3 includes the right to release modified versions as |
613 |
|
free software.</li> |
614 |
|
|
615 |
|
<li><a href="//web.cvs.savannah.gnu.org/viewvc/www/philosophy/free-sw.html?root=www&r1=1.79&r2=1.80">Version |
616 |
|
1.80</a>: Freedom 1 must be practical, not just theoretical; |
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|
i.e., no tivoization.</li> |
618 |
|
|
619 |
|
<li><a href="//web.cvs.savannah.gnu.org/viewvc/www/philosophy/free-sw.html?root=www&r1=1.76&r2=1.77">Version |
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|
1.77</a>: Clarify that all retroactive changes to the license are |
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|
unacceptable, even if it's not described as a complete |
622 |
|
replacement.</li> |
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|
|
624 |
|
<li><a href="//web.cvs.savannah.gnu.org/viewvc/www/philosophy/free-sw.html?root=www&r1=1.73&r2=1.74">Version |
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|
1.74</a>: Four clarifications of points not explicit enough, or stated |
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|
in some places but not reflected everywhere: |
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|
<ul> |
628 |
|
<li>“Improvements” does not mean the license can |
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|
substantively limit what kinds of modified versions you can release. |
630 |
|
Freedom 3 includes distributing modified versions, not just changes.</li> |
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|
<li>The right to merge in existing modules |
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|
refers to those that are suitably licensed.</li> |
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|
<li>Explicitly state the conclusion of the point about export controls.</li> |
634 |
|
<li>Imposing a license change constitutes revoking the old license.</li> |
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|
</ul> |
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|
</li> |
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|
|
638 |
|
<li><a href="//web.cvs.savannah.gnu.org/viewvc/www/philosophy/free-sw.html?root=www&r1=1.56&r2=1.57">Version |
639 |
|
1.57</a>: Add “Beyond Software” section.</li> |
640 |
|
|
641 |
|
<li><a href="//web.cvs.savannah.gnu.org/viewvc/www/philosophy/free-sw.html?root=www&r1=1.45&r2=1.46">Version |
642 |
|
1.46</a>: Clarify whose purpose is significant in the freedom to run |
643 |
|
the program for any purpose.</li> |
644 |
|
|
645 |
|
<li><a href="//web.cvs.savannah.gnu.org/viewvc/www/philosophy/free-sw.html?root=www&r1=1.40&r2=1.41">Version |
646 |
|
1.41</a>: Clarify wording about contract-based licenses.</li> |
647 |
|
|
648 |
|
<li><a href="//web.cvs.savannah.gnu.org/viewvc/www/philosophy/free-sw.html?root=www&r1=1.39&r2=1.40">Version |
649 |
|
1.40</a>: Explain that a free license must allow to you use other |
650 |
|
available free software to create your modifications.</li> |
651 |
|
|
652 |
|
<li><a href="//web.cvs.savannah.gnu.org/viewvc/www/philosophy/free-sw.html?root=www&r1=1.38&r2=1.39">Version |
653 |
|
1.39</a>: Note that it is acceptable for a license to require you to |
654 |
|
provide source for versions of the software you put into public |
655 |
|
use.</li> |
656 |
|
|
657 |
|
<li><a href="//web.cvs.savannah.gnu.org/viewvc/www/philosophy/free-sw.html?root=www&r1=1.30&r2=1.31">Version |
658 |
|
1.31</a>: Note that it is acceptable for a license to require you to |
659 |
|
identify yourself as the author of modifications. Other minor |
660 |
|
clarifications throughout the text.</li> |
661 |
|
|
662 |
|
<li><a href="//web.cvs.savannah.gnu.org/viewvc/www/philosophy/free-sw.html?root=www&r1=1.22&r2=1.23">Version |
663 |
|
1.23</a>: Address potential problems related to contract-based |
664 |
|
licenses.</li> |
665 |
|
|
666 |
|
<li><a href="//web.cvs.savannah.gnu.org/viewvc/www/philosophy/free-sw.html?root=www&r1=1.15&r2=1.16">Version |
667 |
|
1.16</a>: Explain why distribution of binaries is important.</li> |
668 |
|
|
669 |
|
<li><a href="//web.cvs.savannah.gnu.org/viewvc/www/philosophy/free-sw.html?root=www&r1=1.10&r2=1.11">Version |
670 |
|
1.11</a>: Note that a free license may require you to send a copy of |
671 |
|
versions you distribute to previous developers on request.</li> |
672 |
|
|
673 |
|
</ul> |
674 |
|
|
675 |
|
<p>There are gaps in the version numbers shown above because there are |
676 |
|
other changes in this page that do not affect the definition or its |
677 |
|
interpretations. For instance, the list does not include changes in |
678 |
|
asides, formatting, spelling, punctuation, or other parts of the page. |
679 |
|
You can review the complete list of changes to the page through |
680 |
|
the <a href="//web.cvs.savannah.gnu.org/viewvc/www/philosophy/free-sw.html?root=www&view=log">cvsweb |
681 |
|
interface</a>.</p> |
682 |
|
<div class="column-limit"></div> |
683 |
|
|
684 |
|
<h3 class="footnote">Footnote</h3> |
685 |
|
<ol> |
686 |
|
<li id="f1">The reason they are numbered 0, 1, 2 and 3 is historical. Around |
687 |
|
1990 there were three freedoms, numbered 1, 2 and 3. Then we realized that |
688 |
|
the freedom to run the program needed to be mentioned explicitly. |
689 |
|
It was clearly more basic than the other three, so it properly should |
690 |
|
precede them. Rather than renumber the others, we made it freedom 0.</li> |
691 |
|
</ol> |
692 |
|
</div> |
693 |
|
|
694 |
|
</div><!-- for id="content", starts in the include above --> |
695 |
|
<!--#include virtual="/server/footer.html" --> |
696 |
|
<div id="footer" role="contentinfo"> |
697 |
|
<div class="unprintable"> |
698 |
|
|
699 |
|
<p>Please send general FSF & GNU inquiries to |
700 |
|
<a href="mailto:gnu@gnu.org"><gnu@gnu.org></a>. |
701 |
|
There are also <a href="/contact/">other ways to contact</a> |
702 |
|
the FSF. Broken links and other corrections or suggestions can be sent |
703 |
|
to <a href="mailto:webmasters@gnu.org"><webmasters@gnu.org></a>.</p> |
704 |
|
|
705 |
|
<p><!-- TRANSLATORS: Ignore the original text in this paragraph, |
706 |
|
replace it with the translation of these two: |
707 |
|
|
708 |
|
We work hard and do our best to provide accurate, good quality |
709 |
|
translations. However, we are not exempt from imperfection. |
710 |
|
Please send your comments and general suggestions in this regard |
711 |
|
to <a href="mailto:web-translators@gnu.org"> |
712 |
|
<web-translators@gnu.org></a>.</p> |
713 |
|
|
714 |
|
<p>For information on coordinating and contributing translations of |
715 |
|
our web pages, see <a |
716 |
|
href="/server/standards/README.translations.html">Translations |
717 |
|
README</a>. --> |
718 |
|
Please see the <a |
719 |
|
href="/server/standards/README.translations.html">Translations |
720 |
|
README</a> for information on coordinating and contributing translations |
721 |
|
of this article.</p> |
722 |
|
</div> |
723 |
|
|
724 |
|
<!-- Regarding copyright, in general, standalone pages (as opposed to |
725 |
|
files generated as part of manuals) on the GNU web server should |
726 |
|
be under CC BY-ND 4.0. Please do NOT change or remove this |
727 |
|
without talking with the webmasters or licensing team first. |
728 |
|
Please make sure the copyright date is consistent with the |
729 |
|
document. For web pages, it is ok to list just the latest year the |
730 |
|
document was modified, or published. |
731 |
|
|
732 |
|
If you wish to list earlier years, that is ok too. |
733 |
|
Either "2001, 2002, 2003" or "2001-2003" are ok for specifying |
734 |
|
years, as long as each year in the range is in fact a copyrightable |
735 |
|
year, i.e., a year in which the document was published (including |
736 |
|
being publicly visible on the web or in a revision control system). |
737 |
|
|
738 |
|
There is more detail about copyright years in the GNU Maintainers |
739 |
|
Information document, www.gnu.org/prep/maintain. --> |
740 |
|
|
741 |
|
<p>Copyright © 1996-2002, 2004-2019, 2021, 2022, 2023 |
742 |
|
Free Software Foundation, Inc.</p> |
743 |
|
|
744 |
|
<p>This page is licensed under a <a rel="license" |
745 |
|
href="http://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-nd/4.0/">Creative |
746 |
|
Commons Attribution-NoDerivatives 4.0 International License</a>.</p> |
747 |
|
|
748 |
|
<!--#include virtual="/server/bottom-notes.html" --> |
749 |
|
|
750 |
|
<p class="unprintable">Updated: |
751 |
<!-- timestamp start --> |
<!-- timestamp start --> |
752 |
$Date$ $Author$ |
$Date$ |
753 |
<!-- timestamp end --> |
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754 |
</p> |
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</div> |
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757 |
</body> |
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758 |
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