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1  <!--#include virtual="/server/header.html" -->  <!--#include virtual="/server/header.html" -->
2    
3  <title>The Free Software Definition - GNU Project - Free Software Foundation (FSF)</title>  <title>What is free software? - GNU Project - Free Software Foundation (FSF)</title>
4    
5  <meta http-equiv="Keywords" content="GNU, FSF, Free Software Foundation, Linux, Emacs, GCC, Unix, Free Software, Operating System, GNU Kernel, HURD, GNU HURD, Hurd" />  <meta http-equiv="Keywords" content="GNU, FSF, Free Software Foundation, Linux, Emacs, GCC, Unix, Free Software, Operating System, GNU Kernel, HURD, GNU HURD, Hurd" />
6  <meta http-equiv="Description" content="Since 1983, developing the free Unix style operating system GNU, so that computer users can have the freedom to share and improve the software they use." />  <meta http-equiv="Description" content="Since 1983, developing the free Unix style operating system GNU, so that computer users can have the freedom to share and improve the software they use." />
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11  <!--#include virtual="/server/banner.html" -->  <!--#include virtual="/server/banner.html" -->
12    
13  <h1>The Free Software Definition</h1>  <h2>What is free software?</h2>
14    
15    <h3>The Free Software Definition</h3>
16    
17    <blockquote>
18    <p>
19    The free software definition presents the criteria for whether a
20    particular software program qualifies as free software.  From time to
21    time we revise this definition, to clarify it or to resolve questions
22    about subtle issues.  See the <a href="#History">History section</a>
23    below for a list of changes that affect the definition of free
24    software.
25    </p>
26    </blockquote>
27    
28    <p>
29    &ldquo;Free software&rdquo; means software that respects users'
30    freedom and community.  Roughly, <b>the users have the freedom to run,
31    copy, distribute, study, change and improve the software</b>.  With these
32    freedoms, the users (both individually and collectively) control the
33    program and what it does for them.
34    </p>
35    
36  <p>  <p>
37  We maintain this free software definition to show clearly what must  When users don't control the program, the program controls the users.
38  be true about a particular software program for it to be considered  The developer controls the program, and through it controls the users.
39  free software.  This nonfree or &ldquo;proprietary&rdquo; program is therefore an
40    instrument of unjust power.
41  </p>  </p>
42    
43  <p>  <p>
44  <q>Free software</q> is a matter of liberty, not price.  To understand  Thus, &ldquo;free software&rdquo; is a matter of liberty, not price.
45  the concept, you should think of <q>free</q> as in <q>free speech,</q>  To understand the concept, you should think of &ldquo;free&rdquo; as
46  not as in <q>free beer.</q>  in &ldquo;free speech,&rdquo; not as in &ldquo;free beer&rdquo;.
47  </p>  </p>
48    
49  <p>  <p>
50  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
51  study, change and improve the software.  More precisely, it refers to  four essential freedoms:
 four kinds of freedom, for the users of the software:  
52  </p>  </p>
53    
54  <ul>  <ul>
55    <li>The freedom to run the program, for any purpose (freedom 0).</li>    <li>The freedom to run the program, for any purpose (freedom 0).</li>
56    <li>The freedom to study how the program works, and adapt it to    <li>The freedom to study how the program works, and change it so it
57        your needs (freedom 1). Access to the source code is a precondition        does your computing as you wish (freedom 1). Access to the source
58        for this.        code is a precondition for this.
59    </li>    </li>
60    <li>The freedom to redistribute copies so you can help your neighbor    <li>The freedom to redistribute copies so you can help your neighbor
61        (freedom 2).        (freedom 2).
62    </li>    </li>
63    <li>The freedom to improve the program, and release your improvements    <li>The freedom to distribute copies of your modified versions
64        to the public, so that the whole community benefits (freedom 3).        to others (freedom 3).  By doing this you can give the whole
65          community a chance to benefit from your changes.
66        Access to the source code is a precondition for this.        Access to the source code is a precondition for this.
67    </li>    </li>
68  </ul>  </ul>
# Line 50  you should be free to redistribute copie Line 73  you should be free to redistribute copie
73  modifications, either gratis or charging a fee for distribution, to  modifications, either gratis or charging a fee for distribution, to
74  <a href="#exportcontrol">anyone anywhere</a>.  Being free to do these  <a href="#exportcontrol">anyone anywhere</a>.  Being free to do these
75  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
76  for permission.  for permission to do so.
77  </p>  </p>
78    
79  <p>  <p>
# Line 66  or organization to use it on any kind of Line 89  or organization to use it on any kind of
89  overall job and purpose, without being required to communicate about it  overall job and purpose, without being required to communicate about it
90  with the developer or any other specific entity.  In this freedom, it is  with the developer or any other specific entity.  In this freedom, it is
91  the <em>user's</em> purpose that matters, not the <em>developer's</em>  the <em>user's</em> purpose that matters, not the <em>developer's</em>
92  purpose; you as a user are free to run a program for your purposes,  purpose; you as a user are free to run the program for your purposes,
93  and if you distribute it to someone else, she is then free to run it  and if you distribute it to someone else, she is then free to run it
94  for her purposes, but you are not entitled to impose your purposes on her.  for her purposes, but you are not entitled to impose your purposes on her.
95  </p>  </p>
# Line 75  for her purposes, but you are not entitl Line 98  for her purposes, but you are not entitl
98  The freedom to redistribute copies must include binary or executable  The freedom to redistribute copies must include binary or executable
99  forms of the program, as well as source code, for both modified and  forms of the program, as well as source code, for both modified and
100  unmodified versions.  (Distributing programs in runnable form is necessary  unmodified versions.  (Distributing programs in runnable form is necessary
101  for conveniently installable free operating systems.)  It is ok if there  for conveniently installable free operating systems.)  It is OK if there
102  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
103  (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
104  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
# Line 83  make them. Line 106  make them.
106  </p>  </p>
107    
108  <p>  <p>
109  In order for the freedoms to make changes, and to publish improved  In order for freedoms 1 and 3 (the freedom to make changes and the
110  versions, to be meaningful, you must have access to the source code of  freedom to publish the changed versions) to be meaningful, you must have
111  the program.  Therefore, accessibility of source code is a necessary  access to the source code of the program.  Therefore, accessibility of
112  condition for free software.  source code is a necessary condition for free software.  Obfuscated
113    &ldquo;source code&rdquo; is not real source code and does not count
114    as source code.
115    </p>
116    
117    <p>
118    Freedom 1 includes the freedom to use your changed version in place of
119    the original.  If the program is delivered in a product designed to
120    run someone else's modified versions but refuse to run yours &mdash; a
121    practice known as &ldquo;tivoization&rdquo; or &ldquo;lockdown&rdquo;,
122    or (in its practitioners' perverse terminology) as &ldquo;secure
123    boot&rdquo; &mdash; freedom 1 becomes a theoretical fiction rather
124    than a practical freedom.  This is not sufficient.  In other words,
125    these binaries are not free software even if the source code they are
126    compiled from is free.
127    </p>
128    
129    <p>
130    One important way to modify a program is by merging in available free
131    subroutines and modules.  If the program's license says that you
132    cannot merge in a suitably licensed existing module &mdash; for instance, if it
133    requires you to be the copyright holder of any code you add &mdash; then the
134    license is too restrictive to qualify as free.
135  </p>  </p>
136    
137  <p>  <p>
138  One important way to modify a program is by merging in available  Freedom 3 includes the freedom to release your modified versions
139  free subroutines and modules.  If the program's license says that you  as free software.  A free license may also permit other ways of
140  cannot merge in an existing module, such as if it requires you to be the  releasing them; in other words, it does not have to be
141  copyright holder of any code you add, then the license is too restrictive  a <a href="/copyleft/copyleft.html">copyleft</a> license.  However, a
142  to qualify as free.  license that requires modified versions to be nonfree does not qualify
143    as a free license.
144  </p>  </p>
145    
146  <p>  <p>
147  In order for these freedoms to be real, they must be irrevocable as  In order for these freedoms to be real, they must be permanent and
148  long as you do nothing wrong; if the developer of the software has the  irrevocable as long as you do nothing wrong; if the developer of the
149  power to revoke the license, without your doing anything to give cause,  software has the power to revoke the license, or retroactively add
150  the software is not free.  restrictions to its terms, without your doing anything wrong to give
151    cause, the software is not free.
152  </p>  </p>
153    
154  <p>  <p>
# Line 114  the central freedoms; rather it protects Line 161  the central freedoms; rather it protects
161  </p>  </p>
162    
163  <p>  <p>
164    &ldquo;Free software&rdquo; does not mean &ldquo;noncommercial&rdquo;.  A free
165    program must be available for commercial use, commercial development,
166    and commercial distribution.  Commercial development of free software
167    is no longer unusual; such free commercial software is very important.
168  You may have paid money to get copies of free software, or you may have  You may have paid money to get copies of free software, or you may have
169  obtained copies at no charge.  But regardless of how you got your copies,  obtained copies at no charge.  But regardless of how you got your copies,
170  you always have the freedom to copy and change the software, even to  you always have the freedom to copy and change the software, even to
# Line 121  you always have the freedom to copy and Line 172  you always have the freedom to copy and
172  </p>  </p>
173    
174  <p>  <p>
175  <q>Free software</q> does not mean <q>non-commercial.</q>  A free  Whether a change constitutes an improvement is a subjective matter.
176  program must be available for commercial use, commercial development,  If your right to modify a program is limited, in substance, to changes that
177  and commercial distribution.  Commercial development of free software  someone else considers an improvement, that program is not free.
 is no longer unusual; such free commercial software is very important.  
178  </p>  </p>
179    
180  <p>  <p>
181  Rules about how to package a modified version are acceptable, if they  However, rules about how to package a modified version are acceptable,
182  don't substantively block your freedom to release modified versions, or  if they don't substantively limit your freedom to release modified
183  your freedom to make and use modified versions privately.  Rules that <q>if  versions, or your freedom to make and use modified versions privately.
184  you make your version available in this way, you must make it available in  Thus, it is acceptable for the license to require that you change the
185  that way also</q> can be acceptable too, on the same condition.  (Note that  name of the modified version, remove a logo, or identify your
186  such a rule still leaves you the choice of whether to publish your version  modifications as yours.  As long as these requirements are not so
187  at all.)  Rules that require release of source code to the users for  burdensome that they effectively hamper you from releasing your
188  versions that you put into public use are also acceptable.  It is also  changes, they are acceptable; you're already making other changes to
189  acceptable for the license to require that, if you have distributed a  the program, so you won't have trouble making a few more.
190    </p>
191    
192    <p>
193    Rules that &ldquo;if you make your version available in this way, you
194    must make it available in that way also&rdquo; can be acceptable too,
195    on the same condition.  An example of such an acceptable rule is one
196    saying that if you have distributed a
197  modified version and a previous developer asks for a copy of it, you  modified version and a previous developer asks for a copy of it, you
198  must send one, or that you identify yourself on your modifications.  must send one.  (Note that such a rule still leaves you the choice of
199    whether to distribute your version at all.)  Rules that require release
200    of source code to the users for versions that you put into public use
201    are also acceptable.
202  </p>  </p>
203    
204  <p>  <p>
205    A special issue arises when a license requires changing the name by
206    which the program will be invoked from other programs.  That
207    effectively hampers you from releasing your changed version so that it
208    can replace the original when invoked by those other programs.  This
209    sort of requirement is acceptable only if there's a suitable aliasing
210    facility that allows you to specify the original program's name as an
211    alias for the modified version.</p>
212    
213    <p>
214  In the GNU project, we use  In the GNU project, we use
215  <q><a href="/copyleft/copyleft.html">copyleft</a></q>  <a href="/copyleft/copyleft.html">copyleft</a>
216  to protect these freedoms legally for everyone.  But  to protect these freedoms legally for everyone.  But
217  <a href="/philosophy/categories.html#Non-CopyleftedFreeSoftware">non-copylefted  <a href="/philosophy/categories.html#Non-CopyleftedFreeSoftware">noncopylefted
218  free software</a> also exists.  We believe there are important reasons why  free software</a> also exists.  We believe there are important reasons why
219  <a href="/philosophy/pragmatic.html"> it is better to use copyleft</a>,  <a href="/philosophy/pragmatic.html">it is better to use copyleft</a>,
220  but if your program is non-copylefted free software, we can still  but if your program is noncopylefted free software, it is still basically
221  use it.  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.)
 </p>  
   
 <p>  
 See <a href="/philosophy/categories.html">Categories of Free Software</a>  
 for a description of how <q>free software,</q> <q>copylefted software</q>  
 and other categories of software relate to each other.  
222  </p>  </p>
223    
224  <p>  <p>
# Line 165  programs internationally.  Software deve Line 228  programs internationally.  Software deve
228  eliminate or override these restrictions, but what they can and must do  eliminate or override these restrictions, but what they can and must do
229  is refuse to impose them as conditions of use of the program.  In this  is refuse to impose them as conditions of use of the program.  In this
230  way, the restrictions will not affect activities and people outside the  way, the restrictions will not affect activities and people outside the
231  jurisdictions of these governments.  jurisdictions of these governments.  Thus, free software licenses
232    must not require obedience to any nontrivial export regulations as a
233    condition of exercising any of the essential freedoms.
234    </p>
235    
236    <p>
237    Merely mentioning the existence of export regulations, without making
238    them a condition of the license itself, is acceptable since it does
239    not restrict users.  If an export regulation is actually trivial for
240    free software, then requiring it as a condition is not an actual
241    problem; however, it is a potential problem, since a later change in
242    export law could make the requirement nontrivial and thus render the
243    software nonfree.
244  </p>  </p>
245    
246  <p>  <p>
# Line 176  is unlikely to have some other sort of p Line 251  is unlikely to have some other sort of p
251  (though this does happen occasionally).  However, some free software  (though this does happen occasionally).  However, some free software
252  licenses are based on contracts, and contracts can impose a much larger  licenses are based on contracts, and contracts can impose a much larger
253  range of possible restrictions.  That means there are many possible ways  range of possible restrictions.  That means there are many possible ways
254  such a license could be unacceptably restrictive and non-free.  such a license could be unacceptably restrictive and nonfree.
255  </p>  </p>
256    
257  <p>  <p>
# Line 184  We can't possibly list all the ways that Line 259  We can't possibly list all the ways that
259  contract-based license restricts the user in an unusual way that  contract-based license restricts the user in an unusual way that
260  copyright-based licenses cannot, and which isn't mentioned here as  copyright-based licenses cannot, and which isn't mentioned here as
261  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
262  it is non-free.  it is nonfree.
263  </p>  </p>
264    
265  <p>  <p>
266  When talking about free software, it is best to avoid using terms  When talking about free software, it is best to avoid using terms
267  like <q>give away</q> or <q>for free,</q> because those terms imply that  like &ldquo;give away&rdquo; or &ldquo;for free,&rdquo; because those terms imply that
268  the issue is about price, not freedom.  Some common terms such  the issue is about price, not freedom.  Some common terms such
269  as <q>piracy</q> embody opinions we hope you won't endorse.  See  as &ldquo;piracy&rdquo; embody opinions we hope you won't endorse.  See
270  <a href="/philosophy/words-to-avoid.html">Confusing Words and Phrases that  <a href="/philosophy/words-to-avoid.html">Confusing Words and Phrases that
271  are Worth Avoiding</a> for a discussion of these terms.  We also have  are Worth Avoiding</a> for a discussion of these terms.  We also have
272  a list of <a href="/philosophy/fs-translations.html">translations of  a list of proper <a href="/philosophy/fs-translations.html">translations of
273  <q>free software</q></a> into various languages.  &ldquo;free software&rdquo;</a> into various languages.
274  </p>  </p>
275    
276  <p>  <p>
# Line 221  listed there, you can ask us about it by Line 296  listed there, you can ask us about it by
296  </p>  </p>
297    
298  <p>  <p>
299  If you are contemplating writing a new license, please contact the FSF  If you are contemplating writing a new license, please contact the
300  by writing to that address. The proliferation of different free software  Free Software Foundation first by writing to that address. The
301  licenses means increased work for users in understanding the licenses;  proliferation of different free software licenses means increased work
302  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
303  meets your needs.  find an existing free software license that meets your needs.
304  </p>  </p>
305    
306  <p>  <p>
307  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
308  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
309  and avoid various practical problems.  and avoid various practical problems.
310  </p>  </p>
311    
312  <h2 id="open-source">Beyond Software</h2>  <h3 id="beyond-software">Beyond Software</h3>
   
 <h2>Beyond Software</h2>  
313    
314  <p>  <p>
315  <a href="free-doc.html">Software manuals must be free</a>, for the same  <a href="/philosophy/free-doc.html">Software manuals must be free</a>,
316  reasons that software must be free, and because the manuals are in effect  for the same reasons that software must be free, and because the
317  part of the software.</p>  manuals are in effect part of the software.
318  </p>  </p>
319    
320  <p>  <p>
321  The same arguments also make sense for other kinds of works of  The same arguments also make sense for other kinds of works of
322  practical use -- that is to say, works that embody useful knowledge,  practical use &mdash; that is to say, works that embody useful knowledge,
323  such as educational works and reference  such as educational works and reference
324  works.  <a href="http://wikipedia.org"> Wikipedia </a> is the best known  works.  <a href="http://wikipedia.org">Wikipedia</a> is the best-known
325  example.  example.
326  </p>  </p>
327    
# Line 258  has been extended to a definition of <a Line 331  has been extended to a definition of <a
331  free cultural works</a> applicable to any kind of works.  free cultural works</a> applicable to any kind of works.
332  </p>  </p>
333    
334  <h2 id="open-source">Open Source?</h2>  <h3 id="open-source">Open Source?</h3>
335    
336  <p>  <p>
337  Another group has started using the term <q>open source</q> to mean  Another group has started using the term &ldquo;open source&rdquo; to mean
338  something close (but not identical) to <q>free software.</q>  We  something close (but not identical) to &ldquo;free software&rdquo;.  We
339  prefer the term <q>free software</q> because, once you have heard that  prefer the term &ldquo;free software&rdquo; because, once you have heard that
340  it refers to freedom rather than price, it calls to mind freedom.  it refers to freedom rather than price, it calls to mind freedom.  The
341  The word <q>open</q> <a href="open-source-misses-the-point.html">  word &ldquo;open&rdquo; <a href="/philosophy/open-source-misses-the-point.html">
342  never refers to freedom </a>.  never refers to freedom</a>.
343  </p>  </p>
344    
345  <p><a href="/philosophy/philosophy.html">Other Texts to Read</a></p>  <h3 id="History">History</h3>
346    
347  </div>  <p>From time to time we revise this Free Software Definition.  Here is
348    the list of substantive changes, along with links to show exactly what
349    was changed.</p>
350    
351    <ul>
352    
353    <li><a href="http://web.cvs.savannah.gnu.org/viewvc/www/philosophy/free-sw.html?root=www&amp;r1=1.121&amp;r2=1.122">Version
354    1.122</a>: An export control requirement is a real problem if the
355    requirement is nontrivial; otherwise it is only a potential problem.</li>
356    
357    <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
358    1.111</a>: Clarify 1.77 by saying that only
359    retroactive <em>restrictions</em> are unacceptable.  The copyright
360    holders can always grant additional <em>permission</em> for use of the
361    work by releasing the work in another way in parallel.</li>
362    
363    <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
364    1.105</a>: Reflect, in the brief statement of freedom 1, the point
365    (already stated in version 1.80) that it includes really using your modified
366    version for your computing.</li>
367    
368    <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
369    1.92</a>: Clarify that obfuscated code does not qualify as source code.</li>
370    
371    <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
372    1.90</a>: Clarify that freedom 3 means the right to distribute copies
373    of your own modified or improved version, not a right to participate
374    in someone else's development project.</li>
375    
376    <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
377    1.89</a>: Freedom 3 includes the right to release modified versions as
378    free software.</li>
379    
380    <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
381    1.80</a>: Freedom 1 must be practical, not just theoretical;
382    i.e., no tivoization.</li>
383    
384    <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
385    1.77</a>: Clarify that all retroactive changes to the license are
386    unacceptable, even if it's not described as a complete
387    replacement.</li>
388    
389    <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
390    1.74</a>: Four clarifications of points not explicit enough, or stated
391    in some places but not reflected everywhere:
392    <ul>
393    <li>"Improvements" does not mean the license can
394    substantively limit what kinds of modified versions you can release.
395    Freedom 3 includes distributing modified versions, not just changes.</li>
396    <li>The right to merge in existing modules
397    refers to those that are suitably licensed.</li>
398    <li>Explicitly state the conclusion of the point about export controls.</li>
399    <li>Imposing a license change constitutes revoking the old license.</li>
400    </ul>
401    </li>
402    
403    <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
404    1.57</a>: Add &quot;Beyond Software&quot; section.</li>
405    
406    <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
407    1.46</a>: Clarify whose purpose is significant in the freedom to run
408    the program for any purpose.</li>
409    
410    <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
411    1.41</a>: Clarify wording about contract-based licenses.</li>
412    
413    <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
414    1.40</a>: Explain that a free license must allow to you use other
415    available free software to create your modifications.</li>
416    
417    <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
418    1.39</a>: Note that it is acceptable for a license to require you to
419    provide source for versions of the software you put into public
420    use.</li>
421    
422    <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
423    1.31</a>: Note that it is acceptable for a license to require you to
424    identify yourself as the author of modifications.  Other minor
425    clarifications throughout the text.</li>
426    
427    <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
428    1.23</a>: Address potential problems related to contract-based
429    licenses.</li>
430    
431    <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
432    1.16</a>: Explain why distribution of binaries is important.</li>
433    
434    <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
435    1.11</a>: Note that a free license may require you to send a copy of
436    versions you distribute to the author.</li>
437    
438    </ul>
439    
440    <p>There are gaps in the version numbers shown above because there are
441    other changes in this page that do not affect the definition as such.
442    These changes are in other parts of the page.  You can review the
443    complete list of changes to the page through
444    the <a href="http://web.cvs.savannah.gnu.org/viewvc/www/philosophy/free-sw.html?root=www&amp;view=log">cvsweb
445    interface</a>.</p>
446    
447    </div>
448    
449  <!--#include virtual="/server/footer.html" -->  <!--#include virtual="/server/footer.html" -->
450    
# Line 280  never refers to freedom </a>. Line 452  never refers to freedom </a>.
452    
453  <p>  <p>
454  Please send FSF &amp; GNU inquiries to  Please send FSF &amp; GNU inquiries to
455  <a href="mailto:gnu@gnu.org"><em>gnu@gnu.org</em></a>.  <a href="mailto:gnu@gnu.org">&lt;gnu@gnu.org&gt;</a>.
456  There are also <a href="http://www.fsf.org/about/contact.html">other ways to contact</a>  There are also <a href="/contact/">other ways to contact</a>
457  the FSF.  the FSF.
458  <br />  <br />
459  Please send broken links and other corrections (or suggestions) to  Please send broken links and other corrections or suggestions to
460  <a href="mailto:webmasters@gnu.org"><em>webmasters@gnu.org</em></a>.  <a href="mailto:webmasters@gnu.org">&lt;webmasters@gnu.org&gt;</a>.
461  </p>  </p>
462    
463  <p>  <p>
# Line 296  translations of this article. Line 468  translations of this article.
468  </p>  </p>
469    
470  <p>  <p>
471  Copyright (C) 1996, 1997, 1998, 1999, 2000, 2001, 2002, 2003, 2004,  Copyright &copy; 1996-2002, 2004-2007, 2009, 2010, 2012 Free Software
472  2005, 2006 <br /> Free Software Foundation, Inc., 51 Franklin St,  Foundation, Inc.
473  Fifth Floor, Boston, MA 02110-1301,  USA  </p>
474  <br />  <p>This page is licensed under a <a rel="license"
475  Verbatim copying and distribution of this entire article is  href="http://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-nd/3.0/us/">Creative
476  permitted in any medium without royalty provided this notice is  Commons Attribution-NoDerivs 3.0 United States License</a>.
 preserved.  
477  </p>  </p>
478    
479  <p>  <!--#include virtual="/server/bottom-notes.html" -->
480  Updated:  
481    <p>Updated:
482  <!-- timestamp start -->  <!-- timestamp start -->
483  $Date$ $Author$  $Date$
484  <!-- timestamp end -->  <!-- timestamp end -->
485  </p>  </p>
486  </div>  </div>
487    
 <div id="translations">  
 <h4>Translations of this page</h4>  
   
 <!-- 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 -->  
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 <!-- Please also check you have the 2 letter language code right versus -->  
 <!--     http://www.w3.org/WAI/ER/IG/ert/iso639.htm -->  
 <ul class="translations-list">  
   <li><a href="/philosophy/free-sw.ar.html">&#1575;&#1604;&#1593;&#1585;&#1576;&#1610;&#1577;</a> <!-- Arabic --></li>  
  <li><a href="/philosophy/free-sw.bg.html">&#x431;&#x44A;&#x43B;&#x433;&#x430;&#x440;&#x441;&#x43A;&#x438;</a>  <!-- Bulgarian --></li>  
  <li><a href="/philosophy/free-sw.ca.html">Catal&#x00e0;</a>    <!-- Catalan --></li>  
   
 <!-- Chinese (Simplified) -->  
  <li><a href="/philosophy/free-sw.cn.html">&#x7b80;&#x4f53;&#x4e2d;&#x6587;</a></li>  
   
 <!-- Chinese (Traditional) -->  
  <li><a href="/philosophy/free-sw.zh.html">&#x7e41;&#x9ad4;&#x4e2d;&#x6587;</a></li>  
   
  <li><a href="/philosophy/free-sw.cs.html">&#x010c;esky</a>     <!-- Czech --></li>  
  <li><a href="/philosophy/free-sw.da.html">Dansk</a>    <!-- Danish --></li>  
  <li><a href="/philosophy/free-sw.de.html">Deutsch</a>  <!-- German --></li>  
  <li><a href="/philosophy/free-sw.html">English</a> </li>  
  <li><a href="/philosophy/free-sw.el.html">Ελληνικά</a>  <!--Greek--></li>  
  <li><a href="/philosophy/free-sw.es.html">Espa&#x00f1;ol</a>   <!-- Spanish --></li>  
  <li><a href="/philosophy/free-sw.eo.html">Esperanto</a></li>  
  <li><a href="/philosophy/free-sw.fa.html">&#x0641;&#x0627;&#x0631;&#x0633;&#x06cc;</a></li>  
  <li><a href="/philosophy/free-sw.fr.html">Fran&#x00e7;ais</a>  <!-- French --></li>  
  <li><a href="/philosophy/free-sw.gl.html">Galego</a>   <!-- Galician --></li>  
  <li><a href="/philosophy/free-sw.he.html">&#x05e2;&#x05d1;&#x05e8;&#x05d9;&#x05ea;</a> <!-- Hebrew --></li>  
  <li><a href="/philosophy/free-sw.hr.html">Hrvatski</a> <!-- Croatian --></li>  
  <li><a href="/philosophy/free-sw.id.html">Bahasa Indonesia</a> <!-- Indonesian --></li>  
  <li><a href="/philosophy/free-sw.it.html">Italiano</a> <!-- Italian --></li>  
  <li><a href="/philosophy/free-sw.ja.html">&#x65e5;&#x672c;&#x8a9e;</a> <!-- Japanese --></li>  
  <li><a href="/philosophy/free-sw.ko.html">&#xd55c;&#xad6d;&#xc5b4;</a> <!-- Korean --></li>  
  <li><a href="/philosophy/free-sw.hu.html">Magyar</a>   <!-- Hungarian --></li>  
  <li><a href="/philosophy/free-sw.nl.html">Nederlands</a>       <!-- Dutch --></li>  
  <li><a href="/philosophy/free-sw.no.html">Norsk</a>    <!-- Norwegian --></li>  
  <li><a href="/philosophy/free-sw.pl.html">Polski</a>   <!-- Polish --></li>  
  <li><a href="/philosophy/free-sw.pt.html">Portugu&#x0ea;s</a>  <!-- Portuguese --></li>  
  <li><a href="/philosophy/free-sw.ro.html">Rom&#x00e2;n&#x0103;</a>     <!-- Romanian --></li>  
  <li><a href="/philosophy/free-sw.ru.html">&#1056;&#1091;&#1089;&#1089;&#1082;&#1080;&#1081;</a> <!-- Russian --></li>  
  <li><a href="/philosophy/free-sw.sl.html">Slovinsko</a>        <!--- Slovenian --></li>  
  <li><a href="/philosophy/free-sw.sr.html">&#x0421;&#x0440;&#x043f;&#x0441;&#x043a;&#x0438;</a> <!-- Serbian --></li>  
  <li><a href="/philosophy/free-sw.tl.html">Tagalog</a>  <!-- Tagalog --></li>  
  <li><a href="/philosophy/free-sw.tr.html">T&#x00fc;rk&#x00e7;e</a>     <!-- Turkish --></li>  
 </ul>  
 </div>  
488    
489  </div>  </div>
490    

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