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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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11    
12  <h2>The Free Software Definition</h2>  <h2>What is free software?</h2>
13    
14    <h3>The Free Software Definition</h3>
15    
16    <blockquote>
17  <p>  <p>
18  We maintain this free software definition to show clearly what must be  The free software definition presents the criteria for whether a
19  true about a particular software program for it to be considered free  particular software program qualifies as free software.  From time to
20  software.  From time to time we revise this definition to clarify it.  time we revise this definition, to clarify it or to resolve questions
21  If you would like to review the changes we've made, please see  about subtle issues.  See the <a href="#History">History section</a>
22  the <a href="#History">History section</a> below for more information.  below for a list of changes that affect the definition of free
23    software.
24  </p>  </p>
25    </blockquote>
26    
27  <p>  <p>
28  <q>Free software</q> is a matter of liberty, not price.  To understand  &ldquo;Free software&rdquo; means software that respects users'
29  the concept, you should think of <q>free</q> as in <q>free speech,</q>  freedom and community.  Roughly, it means that <b>the users have the
30  not as in <q>free beer.</q>  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  Free software is a matter of the users' freedom to run, copy, distribute,  We campaign for these freedoms because everyone deserves them.  With
39  study, change and improve the software.  More precisely, it refers to  these freedoms, the users (both individually and collectively) control
40  four kinds of freedom, for the users of the software:  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>
47    
48    <p>
49    A program is free software if the program's users have the
50    four essential freedoms:
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        (and modified versions in general)        to others (freedom 3).  By doing this you can give the whole
64        to the public, so that the whole community benefits (freedom 3).        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 69  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 78  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 86  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 free  One important way to modify a program is by merging in available free
138  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 a suitably-licensed existing module, such as if it  cannot merge in a suitably licensed existing module &mdash; for instance, if it
140  requires you to be the copyright holder of any code you add, then the  requires you to be the copyright holder of any code you add &mdash; then the
141  license is too restrictive 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, or replace it with a different license  releasing them; in other words, it does not have to be
148  (since this implies revoking the old license),  a <a href="/copyleft/copyleft.html">copyleft</a> license.  However, a
149  without your doing anything wrong to give cause, the software is not  license that requires modified versions to be nonfree does not qualify
150  free.  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 119  the central freedoms; rather it protects Line 168  the central freedoms; rather it protects
168  </p>  </p>
169    
170  <p>  <p>
171    In the GNU project, we use <a href="/copyleft/copyleft.html">
172    copyleft </a> to protect the four freedoms legally for everyone.  We
173    believe there are important reasons why
174    <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>
183    
184    <p>
185    &ldquo;Free software&rdquo; does not mean &ldquo;noncommercial&rdquo;.  A free
186    program must be available for commercial use, commercial development,
187    and commercial distribution.  Commercial development of free software
188    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  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,  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  you always have the freedom to copy and change the software, even to
# Line 127  you always have the freedom to copy and Line 194  you always have the freedom to copy and
194    
195  <p>  <p>
196  Whether a change constitutes an improvement is a subjective matter.  Whether a change constitutes an improvement is a subjective matter.
197  If your modifications are limited, in substance, to changes that  If your right to modify a program is limited, in substance, to changes that
198  someone else considers an improvement, that is not freedom.  someone else considers an improvement, that program is not free.
199  </p>  </p>
200    
201  <p>  <p>
202  <q>Free software</q> does not mean <q>non-commercial.</q>  A free  However, rules about how to package a modified version are acceptable,
203  program must be available for commercial use, commercial development,  if they don't substantively limit your freedom to release modified
204  and commercial distribution.  Commercial development of free software  versions, or your freedom to make and use modified versions privately.
205  is no longer unusual; such free commercial software is very important.  Thus, it is acceptable for the license to require that you change the
206    name of the modified version, remove a logo, or identify your
207    modifications as yours.  As long as these requirements are not so
208    burdensome that they effectively hamper you from releasing your
209    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  Rules about how to package a modified version are acceptable, if they  Rules that &ldquo;if you make your version available in this way, you
215  don't substantively block your freedom to release modified versions, or  must make it available in that way also&rdquo; can be acceptable too,
216  your freedom to make and use modified versions privately.  Rules that <q>if  on the same condition.  An example of such an acceptable rule is one
217  you make your version available in this way, you must make it available in  saying that if you have distributed a
 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  
218  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
219  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
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  In the GNU project, we use  A special issue arises when a license requires changing the name by
227  <q><a href="/copyleft/copyleft.html">copyleft</a></q>  which the program will be invoked from other programs.  That
228  to protect these freedoms legally for everyone.  But  effectively hampers you from releasing your changed version so that it
229  <a href="/philosophy/categories.html#Non-CopyleftedFreeSoftware">non-copylefted  can replace the original when invoked by those other programs.  This
230  free software</a> also exists.  We believe there are important reasons why  sort of requirement is acceptable only if there's a suitable aliasing
231  <a href="/philosophy/pragmatic.html"> it is better to use copyleft</a>,  facility that allows you to specify the original program's name as an
232  but if your program is non-copylefted free software, we can still  alias for the modified version.</p>
 use it.  
 </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.  
 </p>  
233    
234  <p>  <p>
235  Sometimes government <a id="exportcontrol">export control regulations</a>  Sometimes government <a id="exportcontrol">export control regulations</a>
# Line 177  eliminate or override these restrictions Line 239  eliminate or override these restrictions
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.  Thus, free software licenses  jurisdictions of these governments.  Thus, free software licenses
242  must not require obedience to any export regulations a condition of  must not require obedience to any nontrivial export regulations as a
243  any of the essential freedoms.  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    A free license may not require compliance with the license of a
258    nonfree program.  Thus, for instance, if a license requires you to
259    comply with the licenses of &ldquo;all the programs you use&rdquo;, in
260    the case of a user that runs nonfree programs this would require
261    compliance with the licenses of those nonfree programs; that makes the
262    license nonfree.
263    </p>
264    
265    <p>
266    It is acceptable for a free license to specify which jurisdiction's
267    law applies, or where litigation must be done, or both.
268  </p>  </p>
269    
270  <p>  <p>
# Line 189  is unlikely to have some other sort of p Line 275  is unlikely to have some other sort of p
275  (though this does happen occasionally).  However, some free software  (though this does happen occasionally).  However, some free software
276  licenses are based on contracts, and contracts can impose a much larger  licenses are based on contracts, and contracts can impose a much larger
277  range of possible restrictions.  That means there are many possible ways  range of possible restrictions.  That means there are many possible ways
278  such a license could be unacceptably restrictive and non-free.  such a license could be unacceptably restrictive and nonfree.
279  </p>  </p>
280    
281  <p>  <p>
# Line 197  We can't possibly list all the ways that Line 283  We can't possibly list all the ways that
283  contract-based license restricts the user in an unusual way that  contract-based license restricts the user in an unusual way that
284  copyright-based licenses cannot, and which isn't mentioned here as  copyright-based licenses cannot, and which isn't mentioned here as
285  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
286  it is non-free.  it is nonfree.
287  </p>  </p>
288    
289  <p>  <p>
290  When talking about free software, it is best to avoid using terms  When talking about free software, it is best to avoid using terms
291  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
292  the issue is about price, not freedom.  Some common terms such  the issue is about price, not freedom.  Some common terms such
293  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
294  <a href="/philosophy/words-to-avoid.html">Confusing Words and Phrases that  <a href="/philosophy/words-to-avoid.html">Confusing Words and Phrases that
295  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
296  a list of <a href="/philosophy/fs-translations.html">translations of  a list of proper <a href="/philosophy/fs-translations.html">translations of
297  <q>free software</q></a> into various languages.  &ldquo;free software&rdquo;</a> into various languages.
298  </p>  </p>
299    
300  <p>  <p>
# Line 234  listed there, you can ask us about it by Line 320  listed there, you can ask us about it by
320  </p>  </p>
321    
322  <p>  <p>
323  If you are contemplating writing a new license, please contact the FSF  If you are contemplating writing a new license, please contact the
324  by writing to that address. The proliferation of different free software  Free Software Foundation first by writing to that address. The
325  licenses means increased work for users in understanding the licenses;  proliferation of different free software licenses means increased work
326  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
327  meets your needs.  find an existing free software license that meets your needs.
328  </p>  </p>
329    
330  <p>  <p>
331  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
332  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
333  and avoid various practical problems.  and avoid various practical problems.
334  </p>  </p>
335    
336  <h2 id="beyond-software">Beyond Software</h2>  <h3 id="beyond-software">Beyond Software</h3>
337    
338  <p>  <p>
339  <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 259  manuals are in effect part of the softwa Line 345  manuals are in effect part of the softwa
345  The same arguments also make sense for other kinds of works of  The same arguments also make sense for other kinds of works of
346  practical use &mdash; that is to say, works that embody useful knowledge,  practical use &mdash; that is to say, works that embody useful knowledge,
347  such as educational works and reference  such as educational works and reference
348  works.  <a href="http://wikipedia.org">Wikipedia</a> is the best known  works.  <a href="http://wikipedia.org">Wikipedia</a> is the best-known
349  example.  example.
350  </p>  </p>
351    
# Line 269  has been extended to a definition of <a Line 355  has been extended to a definition of <a
355  free cultural works</a> applicable to any kind of works.  free cultural works</a> applicable to any kind of works.
356  </p>  </p>
357    
358  <h2 id="open-source">Open Source?</h2>  <h3 id="open-source">Open Source?</h3>
359    
360  <p>  <p>
361  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
362  something close (but not identical) to <q>free software.</q>  We  something close (but not identical) to &ldquo;free software&rdquo;.  We
363  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
364  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
365  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">
366  never refers to freedom</a>.  never refers to freedom</a>.
367  </p>  </p>
368    
369  <h2 id="History">History</h2>  <h3 id="History">History</h3>
370    
371  <p>From time to time we revise this Free Software Definition to  <p>From time to time we revise this Free Software Definition.  Here is
372  clarify it.  Here we provide a list of those modifications, along with  the list of substantive changes, along with links to show exactly what
373  links to illustrate exactly what changed, so that others can review  was changed.</p>
 them if they like.</p>  
374    
375  <ul>  <ul>
376    
377    <li><a href="http://web.cvs.savannah.gnu.org/viewvc/www/philosophy/free-sw.html?root=www&amp;r1=1.130&amp;r2=1.131">Version
378    1.131</a>: A free license may not require compliance with a nonfree license
379    of another program.</li>
380    
381    <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
382    1.129</a>: State explicitly that choice of law and choice of forum
383    specifications are allowed.  (This was always our policy.)</li>
384    
385    <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
386    1.122</a>: An export control requirement is a real problem if the
387    requirement is nontrivial; otherwise it is only a potential problem.</li>
388    
389    <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
390    1.118</a>: Clarification: the issue is limits on your right to modify,
391    not on what modifications you have made.  And modifications are not limited
392    to &ldquo;improvements&rdquo;</li>
393    
394    <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
395    1.111</a>: Clarify 1.77 by saying that only
396    retroactive <em>restrictions</em> are unacceptable.  The copyright
397    holders can always grant additional <em>permission</em> for use of the
398    work by releasing the work in another way in parallel.</li>
399    
400    <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
401    1.105</a>: Reflect, in the brief statement of freedom 1, the point
402    (already stated in version 1.80) that it includes really using your modified
403    version for your computing.</li>
404    
405    <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
406    1.92</a>: Clarify that obfuscated code does not qualify as source code.</li>
407    
408    <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
409    1.90</a>: Clarify that freedom 3 means the right to distribute copies
410    of your own modified or improved version, not a right to participate
411    in someone else's development project.</li>
412    
413    <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
414    1.89</a>: Freedom 3 includes the right to release modified versions as
415    free software.</li>
416    
417    <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
418    1.80</a>: Freedom 1 must be practical, not just theoretical;
419    i.e., no tivoization.</li>
420    
421    <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
422    1.77</a>: Clarify that all retroactive changes to the license are
423    unacceptable, even if it's not described as a complete
424    replacement.</li>
425    
426  <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  <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
427  1.74</a>: Three clarifications of points not explicit enough, or stated  1.74</a>: Four clarifications of points not explicit enough, or stated
428  in some places but not reflected everywhere:  in some places but not reflected everywhere:
429  <ul>  <ul>
430  <li>"Improvements" does not mean the license can  <li>"Improvements" does not mean the license can
# Line 299  Freedom 3 includes distributing modified Line 433  Freedom 3 includes distributing modified
433  <li>The right to merge in existing modules  <li>The right to merge in existing modules
434  refers to those that are suitably licensed.</li>  refers to those that are suitably licensed.</li>
435  <li>Explicitly state the conclusion of the point about export controls.</li>  <li>Explicitly state the conclusion of the point about export controls.</li>
436    <li>Imposing a license change constitutes revoking the old license.</li>
437  </ul>  </ul>
438  </li>  </li>
439    
# Line 339  versions you distribute to the author.</ Line 474  versions you distribute to the author.</
474    
475  </ul>  </ul>
476    
477  <p>There are gaps in the version numbers because there are many other  <p>There are gaps in the version numbers shown above because there are
478  changes that do not affect the substance of the definition at all.  other changes in this page that do not affect the definition or its
479  Instead, they fix links, add translations, and so on.  If you would  interpretations.  For instance, the list does not include changes in
480  like to review the complete list of changes, you can do so on  asides, formatting, spelling, punctuation, or other parts of the page.
481  our <a href="http://web.cvs.savannah.gnu.org/viewvc/www/philosophy/free-sw.html?root=www&amp;view=log">cvsweb  You can review the complete list of changes to the page through
482    the <a href="http://web.cvs.savannah.gnu.org/viewvc/www/philosophy/free-sw.html?root=www&amp;view=log">cvsweb
483  interface</a>.</p>  interface</a>.</p>
484    
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485    
486    </div><!-- for id="content", starts in the include above -->
487  <!--#include virtual="/server/footer.html" -->  <!--#include virtual="/server/footer.html" -->
   
488  <div id="footer">  <div id="footer">
489    
490  <p>  <p>Please send general FSF &amp; GNU inquiries to
491  Please send FSF &amp; GNU inquiries to  <a href="mailto:gnu@gnu.org">&lt;gnu@gnu.org&gt;</a>.
492  <a href="mailto:gnu@gnu.org"><em>gnu@gnu.org</em></a>.  There are also <a href="/contact/">other ways to contact</a>
493  There are also <a href="/contact/">other ways to contact</a>  the FSF.  Broken links and other corrections or suggestions can be sent
494  the FSF.  to <a href="mailto:webmasters@gnu.org">&lt;webmasters@gnu.org&gt;</a>.</p>
495  <br />  
496  Please send broken links and other corrections or suggestions to  <p><!-- TRANSLATORS: Ignore the original text in this paragraph,
497  <a href="mailto:webmasters@gnu.org"><em>webmasters@gnu.org</em></a>.          replace it with the translation of these two:
498  </p>  
499            We work hard and do our best to provide accurate, good quality
500            translations.  However, we are not exempt from imperfection.
501            Please send your comments and general suggestions in this regard
502            to <a href="mailto:web-translators@gnu.org">
503            &lt;web-translators@gnu.org&gt;</a>.</p>
504    
505            <p>For information on coordinating and submitting translations of
506            our web pages, see <a
507            href="/server/standards/README.translations.html">Translations
508            README</a>. -->
509    Please see the <a
510    href="/server/standards/README.translations.html">Translations
511    README</a> for information on coordinating and submitting translations
512    of this article.</p>
513    
514    <!-- Regarding copyright, in general, standalone pages (as opposed to
515         files generated as part of manuals) on the GNU web server should
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520         document was modified, or published.
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526         being publicly visible on the web or in a revision control system).
527        
528         There is more detail about copyright years in the GNU Maintainers
529         Information document, www.gnu.org/prep/maintain. -->
530    
531    <p>Copyright &copy; 1996-2002, 2004-2007, 2009, 2010, 2012, 2013
532    Free Software Foundation, Inc.</p>
533    
534    <p>This page is licensed under a <a rel="license"
535    href="http://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-nd/3.0/us/">Creative
536    Commons Attribution-NoDerivs 3.0 United States License</a>.</p>
537    
538  <p>  <!--#include virtual="/server/bottom-notes.html" -->
 Please see the  
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539    
540  <p>  <p>Updated:
 Updated:  
541  <!-- timestamp start -->  <!-- timestamp start -->
542  $Date$  $Date$
543  <!-- timestamp end -->  <!-- timestamp end -->
544  </p>  </p>
545  </div>  </div>
   
 <div id="translations">  
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 <li><a href="/philosophy/free-sw.ar.html">&#1575;&#1604;&#1593;&#1585;&#1576;&#1610;&#1577;</a>&nbsp;[ar]</li>  
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 <li><a href="/philosophy/free-sw.az.html">Az&#x0259;rbaycanca</a>&nbsp;[az]</li>  
 <!-- Bulgarian -->  
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 <li><a href="/philosophy/free-sw.bn.html">&#2476;&#2494;&#2434;&#2482;&#2494;</a>&nbsp;[bn]</li>  
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546  </div>  </div>
   
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548  </html>  </html>

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