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revision 1.72 by brett, Tue Dec 9 14:49:59 2008 UTC revision 1.85 by lajjr3, Sat Sep 12 01:12:13 2009 UTC
# Line 27  not as in <q>free beer.</q> Line 27  not as in <q>free beer.</q>
27    
28  <p>  <p>
29  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,
30  study, change and improve the software.  More precisely, it refers to  study, change and improve the software.  More precisely, it means that the
31  four kinds of freedom, for the users of the software:  program's users have the four essential freedoms:
32  </p>  </p>
33    
34  <ul>  <ul>
35    <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>
36    <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
37        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
38        for this.        precondition for this.
39    </li>    </li>
40    <li>The freedom to redistribute copies so you can help your neighbor    <li>The freedom to redistribute copies so you can help your neighbor
41        (freedom 2).        (freedom 2).
42    </li>    </li>
43    <li>The freedom to improve the program, and release your improvements    <li>The freedom to improve the program, and release your improvements
44          (and modified versions in general)
45        to the public, so that the whole community benefits (freedom 3).        to the public, so that the whole community benefits (freedom 3).
46        Access to the source code is a precondition for this.        Access to the source code is a precondition for this.
47    </li>    </li>
# Line 92  condition for free software. Line 93  condition for free software.
93  </p>  </p>
94    
95  <p>  <p>
96  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
97  free subroutines and modules.  If the program's license says that you  the original.  If the program is delivered in a product designed to
98  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 &mdash;
99  copyright holder of any code you add, then the license is too restrictive  a practice known as &ldquo;tivoization&rdquo; or (through
100  to qualify as free.  blacklisting) as &ldquo;secure boot&rdquo; &mdash; freedom 1 becomes a
101    theoretical fiction rather than a practical freedom.  This is not
102    sufficient.
103  </p>  </p>
104    
105  <p>  <p>
106  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
107  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
108  power to revoke the license, without your doing anything to give cause,  cannot merge in a suitably-licensed existing module, such as if it
109  the software is not free.  requires you to be the copyright holder of any code you add, then the
110    license is too restrictive to qualify as free.
111    </p>
112    
113    <p>
114    In order for these freedoms to be real, they must be permanent and
115    irrevocable as long as you do nothing wrong; if the developer of the
116    software has the power to revoke the license, or retroactively change
117    its terms, without your doing anything wrong to give cause, the
118    software is not free.
119  </p>  </p>
120    
121  <p>  <p>
# Line 116  the central freedoms; rather it protects Line 128  the central freedoms; rather it protects
128  </p>  </p>
129    
130  <p>  <p>
131    <q>Free software</q> does not mean <q>non-commercial.</q>  A free
132    program must be available for commercial use, commercial development,
133    and commercial distribution.  Commercial development of free software
134    is no longer unusual; such free commercial software is very important.
135  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
136  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,
137  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 123  you always have the freedom to copy and Line 139  you always have the freedom to copy and
139  </p>  </p>
140    
141  <p>  <p>
142  <q>Free software</q> does not mean <q>non-commercial.</q>  A free  Whether a change constitutes an improvement is a subjective matter.
143  program must be available for commercial use, commercial development,  If your modifications are limited, in substance, to changes that
144  and commercial distribution.  Commercial development of free software  someone else considers an improvement, that is not freedom.
 is no longer unusual; such free commercial software is very important.  
145  </p>  </p>
146    
147  <p>  <p>
148  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
149  don't substantively block your freedom to release modified versions, or  don't substantively limit your freedom to release modified versions, or
150  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
151  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
152  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
# Line 150  to protect these freedoms legally for ev Line 165  to protect these freedoms legally for ev
165  <a href="/philosophy/categories.html#Non-CopyleftedFreeSoftware">non-copylefted  <a href="/philosophy/categories.html#Non-CopyleftedFreeSoftware">non-copylefted
166  free software</a> also exists.  We believe there are important reasons why  free software</a> also exists.  We believe there are important reasons why
167  <a href="/philosophy/pragmatic.html"> it is better to use copyleft</a>,  <a href="/philosophy/pragmatic.html"> it is better to use copyleft</a>,
168  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
169  use it.  ethical.
170  </p>  </p>
171    
172  <p>  <p>
# Line 167  programs internationally.  Software deve Line 182  programs internationally.  Software deve
182  eliminate or override these restrictions, but what they can and must do  eliminate or override these restrictions, but what they can and must do
183  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
184  way, the restrictions will not affect activities and people outside the  way, the restrictions will not affect activities and people outside the
185  jurisdictions of these governments.  jurisdictions of these governments.  Thus, free software licenses
186    must not require obedience to any export regulations as a condition of
187    any of the essential freedoms.
188  </p>  </p>
189    
190  <p>  <p>
# Line 278  them if they like.</p> Line 295  them if they like.</p>
295    
296  <ul>  <ul>
297    
298  <li><a href="http://web.cvs.savannah.gnu.org/viewvc/www/philosophy/free-sw.html?root=www&amp;r1=1.71&amp;r2=1.72">Version  <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
299  1.72</a>: Add this History section.</li>  1.80</a>: Freedom 1 must be practical, not just theoretical;
300    i.e., no tivoization.</li>
301    
302    <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
303    1.77</a>: Clarify that all retroactive changes to the license are
304    unacceptable, even if it's not described as a complete
305    replacement.</li>
306    
307    <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
308    1.74</a>: Four clarifications of points not explicit enough, or stated
309    in some places but not reflected everywhere:
310    <ul>
311    <li>"Improvements" does not mean the license can
312    substantively limit what kinds of modified versions you can release.
313    Freedom 3 includes distributing modified versions, not just changes.</li>
314    <li>The right to merge in existing modules
315    refers to those that are suitably licensed.</li>
316    <li>Explicitly state the conclusion of the point about export controls.</li>
317    <li>Imposing a license change constitutes revoking the old license.</li>
318    </ul>
319    </li>
320    
321  <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  <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
322  1.57</a>: Add &quot;Beyond Software&quot; section.</li>  1.57</a>: Add &quot;Beyond Software&quot; section.</li>
# Line 293  the program for any purpose.</li> Line 330  the program for any purpose.</li>
330    
331  <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  <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
332  1.40</a>: Explain that a free license must allow to you use other  1.40</a>: Explain that a free license must allow to you use other
333  available free software to create your modifications</li>  available free software to create your modifications.</li>
334    
335  <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  <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
336  1.39</a>: Note that it is acceptable for a license to require you to  1.39</a>: Note that it is acceptable for a license to require you to
337  provide source for versions of the software you put into public  provide source for versions of the software you put into public
338  use</li>  use.</li>
339    
340  <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  <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
341  1.31</a>: Note that it is acceptable for a license to require you to  1.31</a>: Note that it is acceptable for a license to require you to
# Line 333  interface</a>.</p> Line 370  interface</a>.</p>
370    
371  <p>  <p>
372  Please send FSF &amp; GNU inquiries to  Please send FSF &amp; GNU inquiries to
373  <a href="mailto:gnu@gnu.org"><em>gnu@gnu.org</em></a>.  <a href="mailto:gnu@gnu.org">&lt;gnu@gnu.org&gt;</a>.
374  There are also <a href="/contact/">other ways to contact</a>  There are also <a href="/contact/">other ways to contact</a>
375  the FSF.  the FSF.
376  <br />  <br />
377  Please send broken links and other corrections or suggestions to  Please send broken links and other corrections or suggestions to
378  <a href="mailto:webmasters@gnu.org"><em>webmasters@gnu.org</em></a>.  <a href="mailto:webmasters@gnu.org">&lt;webmasters@gnu.org&gt;</a>.
379  </p>  </p>
380    
381  <p>  <p>
# Line 350  translations of this article. Line 387  translations of this article.
387    
388  <p>  <p>
389  Copyright &copy; 1996, 1997, 1998, 1999, 2000, 2001, 2002, 2003, 2004,  Copyright &copy; 1996, 1997, 1998, 1999, 2000, 2001, 2002, 2003, 2004,
390  2005, 2006, 2007 Free Software Foundation, Inc.,  2005, 2006, 2007, 2009 Free Software Foundation, Inc.
391  </p>  </p>
 <address>51 Franklin St, Fifth Floor, Boston, MA 02110-1301, USA</address>  
392  <p>Verbatim copying and distribution of this entire article is  <p>Verbatim copying and distribution of this entire article is
393  permitted in any medium without royalty provided this notice is  permitted in any medium without royalty provided this notice is
394  preserved.  preserved.
# Line 393  $Date$ Line 429  $Date$
429  <!-- Bengali -->  <!-- Bengali -->
430  <li><a href="/philosophy/free-sw.bn.html">&#2476;&#2494;&#2434;&#2482;&#2494;</a>&nbsp;[bn]</li>  <li><a href="/philosophy/free-sw.bn.html">&#2476;&#2494;&#2434;&#2482;&#2494;</a>&nbsp;[bn]</li>
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450  <li><a href="/philosophy/free-sw.fa.html">&#x0641;&#x0627;&#x0631;&#x0633;&#x06cc;</a>&nbsp;[fa]</li>  <li><a href="/philosophy/free-sw.fa.html">&#x0641;&#x0627;&#x0631;&#x0633;&#x06cc;</a>&nbsp;[fa]</li>
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454  <li><a href="/philosophy/free-sw.gl.html">Galego</a>&nbsp;[gl]</li>  <li><a href="/philosophy/free-sw.gl.html">galego</a>&nbsp;[gl]</li>
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458  <li><a href="/philosophy/free-sw.hr.html">Hrvatski</a>&nbsp;[hr]</li>  <li><a href="/philosophy/free-sw.hr.html">hrvatski</a>&nbsp;[hr]</li>
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477  <!-- Romanian -->  <!-- Romanian -->
478  <li><a href="/philosophy/free-sw.ro.html">Rom&#x00e2;n&#x0103;</a>&nbsp;[ro]</li>  <li><a href="/philosophy/free-sw.ro.html">rom&#x00e2;n&#x0103;</a>&nbsp;[ro]</li>
479  <!-- Russian -->  <!-- Russian -->
480  <li><a href="/philosophy/free-sw.ru.html">&#1056;&#1091;&#1089;&#1089;&#1082;&#1080;&#1081;</a>&nbsp;[ru]</li>  <li><a href="/philosophy/free-sw.ru.html">&#x0440;&#x0443;&#x0441;&#x0441;&#x043a;&#x0438;&#x0439;</a>&nbsp;[ru]</li>
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483  <!--- Slovenian -->  <!--- Slovenian -->
484  <li><a href="/philosophy/free-sw.sl.html">Slovinsko</a>&nbsp;[sl]</li>  <li><a href="/philosophy/free-sw.sl.html">sloven&scaron;&#269;ina</a>&nbsp;[sl]</li>
485  <!-- Serbian -->  <!-- Serbian -->
486  <li><a href="/philosophy/free-sw.sr.html">&#x0421;&#x0440;&#x043f;&#x0441;&#x043a;&#x0438;</a>&nbsp;[sr]</li>  <li><a href="/philosophy/free-sw.sr.html">&#x0441;&#x0440;&#x043f;&#x0441;&#x043a;&#x0438;</a>&nbsp;[sr]</li>
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