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<h1>The Free Software Definition</h1> |
<h2>The Free Software Definition</h2> |
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<p> |
<p> |
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We maintain this free software definition to show clearly what must |
We maintain this free software definition to show clearly what must be |
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be true about a particular software program for it to be considered |
true about a particular software program for it to be considered free |
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free software. |
software. From time to time we revise this definition to clarify it. |
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If you would like to review the changes we've made, please see |
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the <a href="#History">History section</a> below for more information. |
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</p> |
</p> |
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<p> |
<p> |
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<p> |
<p> |
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Free software is a matter of the users' freedom to run, copy, distribute, |
Free software is a matter of the users' freedom to run, copy, distribute, |
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study, change and improve the software. More precisely, it refers to |
study, change and improve the software. More precisely, it means that the |
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four kinds of freedom, for the users of the software: |
program's users have the four essential freedoms: |
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</p> |
</p> |
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<ul> |
<ul> |
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<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> |
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<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 to make |
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your needs (freedom 1). Access to the source code is a precondition |
it do what you wish (freedom 1). Access to the source code is a |
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for this. |
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 your neighbor |
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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 improve the program, and release your improvements |
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(and modified versions in general) |
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to the public, so that the whole community benefits (freedom 3). |
to the public, so that the whole community benefits (freedom 3). |
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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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</p> |
</p> |
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<p> |
<p> |
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One important way to modify a program is by merging in available |
Freedom 1 includes the freedom to use your changed version in place of |
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free subroutines and modules. If the program's license says that you |
the original. If the program is delivered in a product designed to |
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cannot merge in an existing module, such as if it requires you to be the |
run someone else's modified versions but refuse to run yours — |
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copyright holder of any code you add, then the license is too restrictive |
a practice known as “tivoization” or (through |
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to qualify as free. |
blacklisting) as “secure boot” — freedom 1 become a |
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theoretical fiction rather than a practical freedom. This is not |
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sufficient. |
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</p> |
</p> |
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<p> |
<p> |
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In order for these freedoms to be real, they must be irrevocable as |
One important way to modify a program is by merging in available free |
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long as you do nothing wrong; if the developer of the software has the |
subroutines and modules. If the program's license says that you |
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power to revoke the license, without your doing anything to give cause, |
cannot merge in a suitably-licensed existing module, such as if it |
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the software is not free. |
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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In order for these freedoms to be real, they must be permanent and |
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irrevocable as long as you do nothing wrong; if the developer of the |
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software has the power to revoke the license, or retroactively change |
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its terms, without your doing anything wrong to give cause, the |
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software is not free. |
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</p> |
</p> |
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<p> |
<p> |
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</p> |
</p> |
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<p> |
<p> |
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<q>Free software</q> does not mean <q>non-commercial.</q> A free |
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program must be available for commercial use, commercial development, |
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and commercial distribution. Commercial development of free software |
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is no longer unusual; such free commercial software is very important. |
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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 |
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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, |
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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 |
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</p> |
</p> |
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<p> |
<p> |
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<q>Free software</q> does not mean <q>non-commercial.</q> A free |
Whether a change constitutes an improvement is a subjective matter. |
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program must be available for commercial use, commercial development, |
If your modifications are limited, in substance, to changes that |
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and commercial distribution. Commercial development of free software |
someone else considers an improvement, that is not freedom. |
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is no longer unusual; such free commercial software is very important. |
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</p> |
</p> |
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<p> |
<p> |
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Rules about how to package a modified version are acceptable, if they |
However, rules about how to package a modified version are acceptable, if they |
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don't substantively block your freedom to release modified versions, or |
don't substantively limit your freedom to release modified versions, or |
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your freedom to make and use modified versions privately. Rules that <q>if |
your freedom to make and use modified versions privately. Rules that <q>if |
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you make your version available in this way, you must make it available in |
you make your version available in this way, you must make it available in |
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that way also</q> can be acceptable too, on the same condition. (Note that |
that way also</q> can be acceptable too, on the same condition. (Note that |
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<a href="/philosophy/categories.html#Non-CopyleftedFreeSoftware">non-copylefted |
<a href="/philosophy/categories.html#Non-CopyleftedFreeSoftware">non-copylefted |
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free software</a> also exists. We believe there are important reasons why |
free software</a> also exists. We believe there are important reasons why |
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<a href="/philosophy/pragmatic.html"> it is better to use copyleft</a>, |
<a href="/philosophy/pragmatic.html"> it is better to use copyleft</a>, |
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but if your program is non-copylefted free software, we can still |
but if your program is non-copylefted free software, it is still basically |
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use it. |
ethical. |
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</p> |
</p> |
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<p> |
<p> |
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eliminate or override these restrictions, but what they can and must do |
eliminate or override these restrictions, but what they can and must do |
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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 |
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way, the restrictions will not affect activities and people outside the |
way, the restrictions will not affect activities and people outside the |
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jurisdictions of these governments. |
jurisdictions of these governments. Thus, free software licenses |
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must not require obedience to any export regulations as a condition of |
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any of the essential freedoms. |
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</p> |
</p> |
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<p> |
<p> |
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never refers to freedom</a>. |
never refers to freedom</a>. |
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</p> |
</p> |
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</div> |
<h2 id="History">History</h2> |
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<p>From time to time we revise this Free Software Definition to |
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clarify it. Here we provide a list of those modifications, along with |
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links to illustrate exactly what changed, so that others can review |
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them if they like.</p> |
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<ul> |
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<li><a href="http://web.cvs.savannah.gnu.org/viewvc/www/philosophy/free-sw.html?root=www&r1=1.79&r2=1.80">Version |
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1.80</a>: Freedom 1 must be practical, not just theoretical; |
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i.e., no tivoization.</li> |
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<li><a href="http://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 |
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replacement.</li> |
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<li><a href="http://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> |
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<li>"Improvements" does not mean the license can |
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substantively limit what kinds of modified versions you can release. |
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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> |
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<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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<li><a href="http://web.cvs.savannah.gnu.org/viewvc/www/philosophy/free-sw.html?root=www&r1=1.56&r2=1.57">Version |
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1.57</a>: Add "Beyond Software" section.</li> |
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<li><a href="http://web.cvs.savannah.gnu.org/viewvc/www/philosophy/free-sw.html?root=www&r1=1.45&r2=1.46">Version |
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1.46</a>: Clarify whose purpose is significant in the freedom to run |
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the program for any purpose.</li> |
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<li><a href="http://web.cvs.savannah.gnu.org/viewvc/www/philosophy/free-sw.html?root=www&r1=1.40&r2=1.41">Version |
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1.41</a>: Clarify wording about contract-based licenses.</li> |
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<li><a href="http://web.cvs.savannah.gnu.org/viewvc/www/philosophy/free-sw.html?root=www&r1=1.39&r2=1.40">Version |
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1.40</a>: Explain that a free license must allow to you use other |
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available free software to create your modifications.</li> |
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<li><a href="http://web.cvs.savannah.gnu.org/viewvc/www/philosophy/free-sw.html?root=www&r1=1.38&r2=1.39">Version |
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1.39</a>: Note that it is acceptable for a license to require you to |
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provide source for versions of the software you put into public |
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use.</li> |
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<li><a href="http://web.cvs.savannah.gnu.org/viewvc/www/philosophy/free-sw.html?root=www&r1=1.30&r2=1.31">Version |
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1.31</a>: Note that it is acceptable for a license to require you to |
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identify yourself as the author of modifications. Other minor |
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clarifications throughout the text.</li> |
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<li><a href="http://web.cvs.savannah.gnu.org/viewvc/www/philosophy/free-sw.html?root=www&r1=1.22&r2=1.23">Version |
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1.23</a>: Address potential problems related to contract-based |
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licenses.</li> |
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<li><a href="http://web.cvs.savannah.gnu.org/viewvc/www/philosophy/free-sw.html?root=www&r1=1.15&r2=1.16">Version |
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1.16</a>: Explain why distribution of binaries is important.</li> |
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<li><a href="http://web.cvs.savannah.gnu.org/viewvc/www/philosophy/free-sw.html?root=www&r1=1.10&r2=1.11">Version |
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1.11</a>: Note that a free license may require you to send a copy of |
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versions you distribute to the author.</li> |
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</ul> |
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<p>There are gaps in the version numbers because there are many other |
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changes that do not affect the substance of the definition at all. |
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Instead, they fix links, add translations, and so on. If you would |
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like to review the complete list of changes, you can do so on |
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our <a href="http://web.cvs.savannah.gnu.org/viewvc/www/philosophy/free-sw.html?root=www&view=log">cvsweb |
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interface</a>.</p> |
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</div> |
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<p> |
<p> |
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Please send FSF & GNU inquiries to |
Please send FSF & GNU inquiries to |
373 |
<a href="mailto:gnu@gnu.org"><em>gnu@gnu.org</em></a>. |
<a href="mailto:gnu@gnu.org"><gnu@gnu.org></a>. |
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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> |
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the FSF. |
the FSF. |
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<br /> |
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Please send broken links and other corrections (or suggestions) to |
Please send broken links and other corrections or suggestions to |
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<a href="mailto:webmasters@gnu.org"><em>webmasters@gnu.org</em></a>. |
<a href="mailto:webmasters@gnu.org"><webmasters@gnu.org></a>. |
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</p> |
</p> |
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<p> |
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<p> |
<p> |
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Copyright © 1996, 1997, 1998, 1999, 2000, 2001, 2002, 2003, 2004, |
Copyright © 1996, 1997, 1998, 1999, 2000, 2001, 2002, 2003, 2004, |
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2005, 2006, 2007 Free Software Foundation, Inc., |
2005, 2006, 2007, 2009 Free Software Foundation, Inc. |
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</p> |
</p> |
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<address>51 Franklin St, Fifth Floor, Boston, MA 02110-1301, USA</address> |
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<p>Verbatim copying and distribution of this entire article is |
<p>Verbatim copying and distribution of this entire article is |
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permitted in any medium without royalty provided this notice is |
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487 |
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488 |
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489 |
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490 |
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491 |
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492 |
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493 |
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