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1  <!--#include virtual="/server/header.html" -->  <!--#include virtual="/server/header.html" -->
2    <!-- Parent-Version: 1.75 -->
3  <title>The Free Software Definition - GNU Project - Free Software Foundation (FSF)</title>  <title>What is free software?
4    - GNU Project - Free Software Foundation</title>
5    
6  <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" />
7  <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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10  <!--#include virtual="/server/banner.html" -->  <!--#include virtual="/server/banner.html" -->
11    
12  <h1>The Free Software Definition</h1>  <h2>What is free software?</h2>
13    
14    <h3>The Free Software Definition</h3>
15    
16    <blockquote>
17    <p>
18    The free software definition presents the criteria for whether a
19    particular software program qualifies as free software.  From time to
20    time we revise this definition, to clarify it or to resolve questions
21    about subtle issues.  See the <a href="#History">History section</a>
22    below for a list of changes that affect the definition of free
23    software.
24    </p>
25    </blockquote>
26    
27  <p>  <p>
28  We maintain this free software definition to show clearly what must  &ldquo;Free software&rdquo; means software that respects users'
29  be true about a particular software program for it to be considered  freedom and community.  Roughly, it means that <b>the users have the
30  free software.  freedom to run, copy, distribute, study, change and improve the
31    software</b>.  Thus, &ldquo;free software&rdquo; is a matter of
32    liberty, not price.  To understand the concept, you should think of
33    &ldquo;free&rdquo; as in &ldquo;free speech,&rdquo; not as in
34    &ldquo;free beer&rdquo;.
35  </p>  </p>
36    
37  <p>  <p>
38  <q>Free software</q> is a matter of liberty, not price.  To understand  We campaign for these freedoms because everyone deserves them.  With
39  the concept, you should think of <q>free</q> as in <q>free speech,</q>  these freedoms, the users (both individually and collectively) control
40  not as in <q>free beer.</q>  the program and what it does for them.  When users don't control the
41    program, we call it a &ldquo;nonfree&rdquo; or
42    &ldquo;proprietary&rdquo; program.  The nonfree program controls the
43    users, and the developer controls the program; this makes the
44    program <a href="/philosophy/free-software-even-more-important.html">
45    an instrument of unjust power</a>.
46  </p>  </p>
47    
48  <p>  <p>
49  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
50  study, change and improve the software.  More precisely, it refers to  four essential freedoms:
 four kinds of freedom, for the users of the software:  
51  </p>  </p>
52    
53  <ul>  <ul>
54    <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>
55    <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
56        your needs (freedom 1). Access to the source code is a precondition        does your computing as you wish (freedom 1). Access to the source
57        for this.        code is a precondition for this.
58    </li>    </li>
59    <li>The freedom to redistribute copies so you can help your neighbor    <li>The freedom to redistribute copies so you can help your neighbor
60        (freedom 2).        (freedom 2).
61    </li>    </li>
62    <li>The freedom to improve the program, and release your improvements    <li>The freedom to distribute copies of your modified versions
63        to the public, so that the whole community benefits (freedom 3).        to others (freedom 3).  By doing this you can give the whole
64          community a chance to benefit from your changes.
65        Access to the source code is a precondition for this.        Access to the source code is a precondition for this.
66    </li>    </li>
67  </ul>  </ul>
68    
69  <p>  <p>
70  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
71  you should be free to redistribute copies, either with or without  freedoms.  Otherwise, it is nonfree.  While we can distinguish various
72  modifications, either gratis or charging a fee for distribution, to  nonfree distribution schemes in terms of how far they fall short of
73    being free, we consider them all equally unethical.</p>
74    
75    <p>The rest of this page clarifies certain points about what makes
76    specific freedoms adequate or not.</p>
77    
78    <p>Freedom to distribute (freedoms 2 and 3) means you are free to
79    redistribute copies, either with or without modifications, either
80    gratis or charging a fee for distribution, to
81  <a href="#exportcontrol">anyone anywhere</a>.  Being free to do these  <a href="#exportcontrol">anyone anywhere</a>.  Being free to do these
82  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
83  for permission.  for permission to do so.
84  </p>  </p>
85    
86  <p>  <p>
# Line 66  or organization to use it on any kind of Line 96  or organization to use it on any kind of
96  overall job and purpose, without being required to communicate about it  overall job and purpose, without being required to communicate about it
97  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
98  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>
99  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,
100  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
101  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.
102  </p>  </p>
# Line 75  for her purposes, but you are not entitl Line 105  for her purposes, but you are not entitl
105  The freedom to redistribute copies must include binary or executable  The freedom to redistribute copies must include binary or executable
106  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
107  unmodified versions.  (Distributing programs in runnable form is necessary  unmodified versions.  (Distributing programs in runnable form is necessary
108  for conveniently installable free operating systems.)  It is ok if there  for conveniently installable free operating systems.)  It is OK if there
109  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
110  (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
111  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 113  make them.
113  </p>  </p>
114    
115  <p>  <p>
116  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
117  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
118  the program.  Therefore, accessibility of source code is a necessary  access to the source code of the program.  Therefore, accessibility of
119  condition for free software.  source code is a necessary condition for free software.  Obfuscated
120    &ldquo;source code&rdquo; is not real source code and does not count
121    as source code.
122    </p>
123    
124    <p>
125    Freedom 1 includes the freedom to use your changed version in place of
126    the original.  If the program is delivered in a product designed to
127    run someone else's modified versions but refuse to run yours &mdash; a
128    practice known as &ldquo;tivoization&rdquo; or &ldquo;lockdown&rdquo;,
129    or (in its practitioners' perverse terminology) as &ldquo;secure
130    boot&rdquo; &mdash; freedom 1 becomes a theoretical fiction rather
131    than a practical freedom.  This is not sufficient.  In other words,
132    these binaries are not free software even if the source code they are
133    compiled from is free.
134  </p>  </p>
135    
136  <p>  <p>
137  One important way to modify a program is by merging in available  One important way to modify a program is by merging in available free
138  free subroutines and modules.  If the program's license says that you  subroutines and modules.  If the program's license says that you
139  cannot merge in an existing module, such as if it requires you to be the  cannot merge in a suitably licensed existing module &mdash; for instance, if it
140  copyright holder of any code you add, then the license is too restrictive  requires you to be the copyright holder of any code you add &mdash; then the
141  to qualify as free.  license is too restrictive to qualify as free.
142  </p>  </p>
143    
144  <p>  <p>
145  In order for these freedoms to be real, they must be irrevocable as  Freedom 3 includes the freedom to release your modified versions
146  long as you do nothing wrong; if the developer of the software has the  as free software.  A free license may also permit other ways of
147  power to revoke the license, without your doing anything to give cause,  releasing them; in other words, it does not have to be
148  the software is not free.  a <a href="/copyleft/copyleft.html">copyleft</a> license.  However, a
149    license that requires modified versions to be nonfree does not qualify
150    as a free license.
151    </p>
152    
153    <p>
154    In order for these freedoms to be real, they must be permanent and
155    irrevocable as long as you do nothing wrong; if the developer of the
156    software has the power to revoke the license, or retroactively add
157    restrictions to its terms, without your doing anything wrong to give
158    cause, the software is not free.
159  </p>  </p>
160    
161  <p>  <p>
# Line 114  the central freedoms; rather it protects Line 168  the central freedoms; rather it protects
168  </p>  </p>
169    
170  <p>  <p>
171  You may have paid money to get copies of free software, or you may have  In the GNU project, we use <a href="/copyleft/copyleft.html">
172  obtained copies at no charge.  But regardless of how you got your copies,  copyleft </a> to protect the four freedoms legally for everyone.  We
173  you always have the freedom to copy and change the software, even to  believe there are important reasons why
174  <a href="/philosophy/selling.html">sell copies</a>.  <a href="/philosophy/pragmatic.html">it is better to use
175    copyleft</a>.  However,
176    <a href="/philosophy/categories.html#Non-CopyleftedFreeSoftware">
177    noncopylefted free software</a> is ethical
178    too.  See <a href="/philosophy/categories.html">Categories of Free
179    Software</a> for a description of how &ldquo;free software,&rdquo;
180    &ldquo;copylefted software&rdquo; and other categories of software
181    relate to each other.
182  </p>  </p>
183    
184  <p>  <p>
185  <q>Free software</q> does not mean <q>non-commercial.</q>  A free  &ldquo;Free software&rdquo; does not mean &ldquo;noncommercial&rdquo;.  A free
186  program must be available for commercial use, commercial development,  program must be available for commercial use, commercial development,
187  and commercial distribution.  Commercial development of free software  and commercial distribution.  Commercial development of free software
188  is no longer unusual; such free commercial software is very important.  is no longer unusual; such free commercial software is very important.
189    You may have paid money to get copies of free software, or you may have
190    obtained copies at no charge.  But regardless of how you got your copies,
191    you always have the freedom to copy and change the software, even to
192    <a href="/philosophy/selling.html">sell copies</a>.
193  </p>  </p>
194    
195  <p>  <p>
196  Rules about how to package a modified version are acceptable, if they  Whether a change constitutes an improvement is a subjective matter.
197  don't substantively block your freedom to release modified versions, or  If your right to modify a program is limited, in substance, to changes that
198  your freedom to make and use modified versions privately.  Rules that <q>if  someone else considers an improvement, that program is not free.
 you make your version available in this way, you must make it available in  
 that way also</q> can be acceptable too, on the same condition.  (Note that  
 such a rule still leaves you the choice of whether to publish your version  
 at all.)  Rules that require release of source code to the users for  
 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.  
199  </p>  </p>
200    
201  <p>  <p>
202  In the GNU project, we use  However, rules about how to package a modified version are acceptable,
203  <q><a href="/copyleft/copyleft.html">copyleft</a></q>  if they don't substantively limit your freedom to release modified
204  to protect these freedoms legally for everyone.  But  versions, or your freedom to make and use modified versions privately.
205  <a href="/philosophy/categories.html#Non-CopyleftedFreeSoftware">non-copylefted  Thus, it is acceptable for the license to require that you change the
206  free software</a> also exists.  We believe there are important reasons why  name of the modified version, remove a logo, or identify your
207  <a href="/philosophy/pragmatic.html"> it is better to use copyleft</a>,  modifications as yours.  As long as these requirements are not so
208  but if your program is non-copylefted free software, we can still  burdensome that they effectively hamper you from releasing your
209  use it.  changes, they are acceptable; you're already making other changes to
210    the program, so you won't have trouble making a few more.
211  </p>  </p>
212    
213  <p>  <p>
214  See <a href="/philosophy/categories.html">Categories of Free Software</a>  Rules that &ldquo;if you make your version available in this way, you
215  for a description of how <q>free software,</q> <q>copylefted software</q>  must make it available in that way also&rdquo; can be acceptable too,
216  and other categories of software relate to each other.  on the same condition.  An example of such an acceptable rule is one
217    saying that if you have distributed a
218    modified version and a previous developer asks for a copy of it, you
219    must send one.  (Note that such a rule still leaves you the choice of
220    whether to distribute your version at all.)  Rules that require release
221    of source code to the users for versions that you put into public use
222    are also acceptable.
223  </p>  </p>
224    
225  <p>  <p>
226    A special issue arises when a license requires changing the name by
227    which the program will be invoked from other programs.  That
228    effectively hampers you from releasing your changed version so that it
229    can replace the original when invoked by those other programs.  This
230    sort of requirement is acceptable only if there's a suitable aliasing
231    facility that allows you to specify the original program's name as an
232    alias for the modified version.</p>
233    
234    <p>
235  Sometimes government <a id="exportcontrol">export control regulations</a>  Sometimes government <a id="exportcontrol">export control regulations</a>
236  and trade sanctions can constrain your freedom to distribute copies of  and trade sanctions can constrain your freedom to distribute copies of
237  programs internationally.  Software developers do not have the power to  programs internationally.  Software developers do not have the power to
238  eliminate or override these restrictions, but what they can and must do  eliminate or override these restrictions, but what they can and must do
239  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
240  way, the restrictions will not affect activities and people outside the  way, the restrictions will not affect activities and people outside the
241  jurisdictions of these governments.  jurisdictions of these governments.  Thus, free software licenses
242    must not require obedience to any nontrivial export regulations as a
243    condition of exercising any of the essential freedoms.
244    </p>
245    
246    <p>
247    Merely mentioning the existence of export regulations, without making
248    them a condition of the license itself, is acceptable since it does
249    not restrict users.  If an export regulation is actually trivial for
250    free software, then requiring it as a condition is not an actual
251    problem; however, it is a potential problem, since a later change in
252    export law could make the requirement nontrivial and thus render the
253    software nonfree.
254    </p>
255    
256    <p>
257    It is acceptable for a free license to specify which jurisdiction's
258    law applies, or where litigation must be done, or both.
259  </p>  </p>
260    
261  <p>  <p>
# Line 176  is unlikely to have some other sort of p Line 266  is unlikely to have some other sort of p
266  (though this does happen occasionally).  However, some free software  (though this does happen occasionally).  However, some free software
267  licenses are based on contracts, and contracts can impose a much larger  licenses are based on contracts, and contracts can impose a much larger
268  range of possible restrictions.  That means there are many possible ways  range of possible restrictions.  That means there are many possible ways
269  such a license could be unacceptably restrictive and non-free.  such a license could be unacceptably restrictive and nonfree.
270  </p>  </p>
271    
272  <p>  <p>
# Line 184  We can't possibly list all the ways that Line 274  We can't possibly list all the ways that
274  contract-based license restricts the user in an unusual way that  contract-based license restricts the user in an unusual way that
275  copyright-based licenses cannot, and which isn't mentioned here as  copyright-based licenses cannot, and which isn't mentioned here as
276  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
277  it is non-free.  it is nonfree.
278  </p>  </p>
279    
280  <p>  <p>
281  When talking about free software, it is best to avoid using terms  When talking about free software, it is best to avoid using terms
282  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
283  the issue is about price, not freedom.  Some common terms such  the issue is about price, not freedom.  Some common terms such
284  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
285  <a href="/philosophy/words-to-avoid.html">Confusing Words and Phrases that  <a href="/philosophy/words-to-avoid.html">Confusing Words and Phrases that
286  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
287  a list of <a href="/philosophy/fs-translations.html">translations of  a list of proper <a href="/philosophy/fs-translations.html">translations of
288  <q>free software</q></a> into various languages.  &ldquo;free software&rdquo;</a> into various languages.
289  </p>  </p>
290    
291  <p>  <p>
# Line 221  listed there, you can ask us about it by Line 311  listed there, you can ask us about it by
311  </p>  </p>
312    
313  <p>  <p>
314  If you are contemplating writing a new license, please contact the FSF  If you are contemplating writing a new license, please contact the
315  by writing to that address. The proliferation of different free software  Free Software Foundation first by writing to that address. The
316  licenses means increased work for users in understanding the licenses;  proliferation of different free software licenses means increased work
317  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
318  meets your needs.  find an existing free software license that meets your needs.
319  </p>  </p>
320    
321  <p>  <p>
322  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
323  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
324  and avoid various practical problems.  and avoid various practical problems.
325  </p>  </p>
326    
327  <h2 id="beyond-software">Beyond Software</h2>  <h3 id="beyond-software">Beyond Software</h3>
328    
329  <p>  <p>
330  <a href="/philosophy/free-doc.html">Software manuals must be free</a>,  <a href="/philosophy/free-doc.html">Software manuals must be free</a>,
# Line 246  manuals are in effect part of the softwa Line 336  manuals are in effect part of the softwa
336  The same arguments also make sense for other kinds of works of  The same arguments also make sense for other kinds of works of
337  practical use &mdash; that is to say, works that embody useful knowledge,  practical use &mdash; that is to say, works that embody useful knowledge,
338  such as educational works and reference  such as educational works and reference
339  works.  <a href="http://wikipedia.org">Wikipedia</a> is the best known  works.  <a href="http://wikipedia.org">Wikipedia</a> is the best-known
340  example.  example.
341  </p>  </p>
342    
# Line 256  has been extended to a definition of <a Line 346  has been extended to a definition of <a
346  free cultural works</a> applicable to any kind of works.  free cultural works</a> applicable to any kind of works.
347  </p>  </p>
348    
349  <h2 id="open-source">Open Source?</h2>  <h3 id="open-source">Open Source?</h3>
350    
351  <p>  <p>
352  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
353  something close (but not identical) to <q>free software.</q>  We  something close (but not identical) to &ldquo;free software&rdquo;.  We
354  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
355  it refers to freedom rather than price, it calls to mind freedom.  The  it refers to freedom rather than price, it calls to mind freedom.  The
356  word <q>open</q> <a href="/philosophy/open-source-misses-the-point.html">  word &ldquo;open&rdquo; <a href="/philosophy/open-source-misses-the-point.html">
357  never refers to freedom</a>.  never refers to freedom</a>.
358  </p>  </p>
359    
360  </div>  <h3 id="History">History</h3>
361    
362    <p>From time to time we revise this Free Software Definition.  Here is
363    the list of substantive changes, along with links to show exactly what
364    was changed.</p>
365    
366  <!--#include virtual="/server/footer.html" -->  <ul>
367    
368  <div id="footer">  <li><a href="http://web.cvs.savannah.gnu.org/viewvc/www/philosophy/free-sw.html?root=www&amp;r1=1.128&amp;r2=1.129">Version
369    1.129</a>: State explicitly that choice of law and choice of forum
370    specifications are allowed.  (This was always our policy.)</li>
371    
372    <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
373    1.122</a>: An export control requirement is a real problem if the
374    requirement is nontrivial; otherwise it is only a potential problem.</li>
375    
376    <li><a href="http://web.cvs.savannah.gnu.org/viewvc/www/philosophy/free-sw.html?root=www&amp;r1=1.117&amp;r2=1.118">Version
377    1.118</a>: Clarification: the issue is limits on your right to modify,
378    not on what modifications you have made.  And modifications are not limited
379    to &ldquo;improvements&rdquo;</li>
380    
381    <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
382    1.111</a>: Clarify 1.77 by saying that only
383    retroactive <em>restrictions</em> are unacceptable.  The copyright
384    holders can always grant additional <em>permission</em> for use of the
385    work by releasing the work in another way in parallel.</li>
386    
387    <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
388    1.105</a>: Reflect, in the brief statement of freedom 1, the point
389    (already stated in version 1.80) that it includes really using your modified
390    version for your computing.</li>
391    
392    <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
393    1.92</a>: Clarify that obfuscated code does not qualify as source code.</li>
394    
395    <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
396    1.90</a>: Clarify that freedom 3 means the right to distribute copies
397    of your own modified or improved version, not a right to participate
398    in someone else's development project.</li>
399    
400    <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
401    1.89</a>: Freedom 3 includes the right to release modified versions as
402    free software.</li>
403    
404    <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
405    1.80</a>: Freedom 1 must be practical, not just theoretical;
406    i.e., no tivoization.</li>
407    
408    <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
409    1.77</a>: Clarify that all retroactive changes to the license are
410    unacceptable, even if it's not described as a complete
411    replacement.</li>
412    
413    <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
414    1.74</a>: Four clarifications of points not explicit enough, or stated
415    in some places but not reflected everywhere:
416    <ul>
417    <li>"Improvements" does not mean the license can
418    substantively limit what kinds of modified versions you can release.
419    Freedom 3 includes distributing modified versions, not just changes.</li>
420    <li>The right to merge in existing modules
421    refers to those that are suitably licensed.</li>
422    <li>Explicitly state the conclusion of the point about export controls.</li>
423    <li>Imposing a license change constitutes revoking the old license.</li>
424    </ul>
425    </li>
426    
427  <p>  <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
428  Please send FSF &amp; GNU inquiries to  1.57</a>: Add &quot;Beyond Software&quot; section.</li>
 <a href="mailto:gnu@gnu.org"><em>gnu@gnu.org</em></a>.  
 There are also <a href="http://www.fsf.org/about/contact.html">other ways to contact</a>  
 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>.  
 </p>  
429    
430  <p>  <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
431  Please see the  1.46</a>: Clarify whose purpose is significant in the freedom to run
432  <a href="/server/standards/README.translations">Translations  the program for any purpose.</li>
433  README</a> for information on coordinating and submitting  
434  translations of this article.  <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
435  </p>  1.41</a>: Clarify wording about contract-based licenses.</li>
436    
437    <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
438    1.40</a>: Explain that a free license must allow to you use other
439    available free software to create your modifications.</li>
440    
441    <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
442    1.39</a>: Note that it is acceptable for a license to require you to
443    provide source for versions of the software you put into public
444    use.</li>
445    
446    <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
447    1.31</a>: Note that it is acceptable for a license to require you to
448    identify yourself as the author of modifications.  Other minor
449    clarifications throughout the text.</li>
450    
451    <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
452    1.23</a>: Address potential problems related to contract-based
453    licenses.</li>
454    
455    <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
456    1.16</a>: Explain why distribution of binaries is important.</li>
457    
458    <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
459    1.11</a>: Note that a free license may require you to send a copy of
460    versions you distribute to the author.</li>
461    
462  <p>  </ul>
 Copyright &copy; 1996, 1997, 1998, 1999, 2000, 2001, 2002, 2003, 2004,  
 2005, 2006, 2007 Free Software Foundation, Inc.,  
 </p>  
 <address>51 Franklin St, Fifth Floor, Boston, MA 02110-1301, USA</address>  
 <p>Verbatim copying and distribution of this entire article is  
 permitted in any medium without royalty provided this notice is  
 preserved.  
 </p>  
463    
464  <p>  <p>There are gaps in the version numbers shown above because there are
465  Updated:  other changes in this page that do not affect the definition or its
466    interpretations.  For instance, the list does not include changes in
467    asides, formatting, spelling, punctuation, or other parts of the page.
468    You can review the complete list of changes to the page through
469    the <a href="http://web.cvs.savannah.gnu.org/viewvc/www/philosophy/free-sw.html?root=www&amp;view=log">cvsweb
470    interface</a>.</p>
471    
472    
473    </div><!-- for id="content", starts in the include above -->
474    <!--#include virtual="/server/footer.html" -->
475    <div id="footer">
476    
477    <p>Please send general FSF &amp; GNU inquiries to
478    <a href="mailto:gnu@gnu.org">&lt;gnu@gnu.org&gt;</a>.
479    There are also <a href="/contact/">other ways to contact</a>
480    the FSF.  Broken links and other corrections or suggestions can be sent
481    to <a href="mailto:webmasters@gnu.org">&lt;webmasters@gnu.org&gt;</a>.</p>
482    
483    <p><!-- TRANSLATORS: Ignore the original text in this paragraph,
484            replace it with the translation of these two:
485    
486            We work hard and do our best to provide accurate, good quality
487            translations.  However, we are not exempt from imperfection.
488            Please send your comments and general suggestions in this regard
489            to <a href="mailto:web-translators@gnu.org">
490            &lt;web-translators@gnu.org&gt;</a>.</p>
491    
492            <p>For information on coordinating and submitting translations of
493            our web pages, see <a
494            href="/server/standards/README.translations.html">Translations
495            README</a>. -->
496    Please see the <a
497    href="/server/standards/README.translations.html">Translations
498    README</a> for information on coordinating and submitting translations
499    of this article.</p>
500    
501    <!-- Regarding copyright, in general, standalone pages (as opposed to
502         files generated as part of manuals) on the GNU web server should
503         be under CC BY-ND 3.0 US.  Please do NOT change or remove this
504         without talking with the webmasters or licensing team first.
505         Please make sure the copyright date is consistent with the
506         document.  For web pages, it is ok to list just the latest year the
507         document was modified, or published.
508        
509         If you wish to list earlier years, that is ok too.
510         Either "2001, 2002, 2003" or "2001-2003" are ok for specifying
511         years, as long as each year in the range is in fact a copyrightable
512         year, i.e., a year in which the document was published (including
513         being publicly visible on the web or in a revision control system).
514        
515         There is more detail about copyright years in the GNU Maintainers
516         Information document, www.gnu.org/prep/maintain. -->
517    
518    <p>Copyright &copy; 1996-2002, 2004-2007, 2009, 2010, 2012, 2013
519    Free Software Foundation, Inc.</p>
520    
521    <p>This page is licensed under a <a rel="license"
522    href="http://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-nd/3.0/us/">Creative
523    Commons Attribution-NoDerivs 3.0 United States License</a>.</p>
524    
525    <!--#include virtual="/server/bottom-notes.html" -->
526    
527    <p>Updated:
528  <!-- timestamp start -->  <!-- timestamp start -->
529  $Date$  $Date$
530  <!-- timestamp end -->  <!-- timestamp end -->
531  </p>  </p>
532  </div>  </div>
   
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533  </div>  </div>
   
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