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<h2>The Free Software Definition</h2> |
<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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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=1.71&r2=1.72">Version |
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1.72</a>: Add this History section.</li> |
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<li><a href="http://web.cvs.savannah.gnu.org/viewvc/www/philosophy/free-sw.html?root=www&r1=1.56&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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