| 20 |
</p> |
</p> |
| 21 |
|
|
| 22 |
<p> |
<p> |
| 23 |
<q>Free software</q> is a matter of liberty, not price. To understand |
“Free software” is a matter of liberty, not price. To understand |
| 24 |
the concept, you should think of <q>free</q> as in <q>free speech,</q> |
the concept, you should think of “free” as in “free speech,” |
| 25 |
not as in <q>free beer.</q> |
not as in “free beer.” |
| 26 |
</p> |
</p> |
| 27 |
|
|
| 28 |
<p> |
<p> |
| 138 |
</p> |
</p> |
| 139 |
|
|
| 140 |
<p> |
<p> |
| 141 |
<q>Free software</q> does not mean <q>noncommercial.</q> A free |
“Free software” does not mean “noncommercial.” A free |
| 142 |
program must be available for commercial use, commercial development, |
program must be available for commercial use, commercial development, |
| 143 |
and commercial distribution. Commercial development of free software |
and commercial distribution. Commercial development of free software |
| 144 |
is no longer unusual; such free commercial software is very important. |
is no longer unusual; such free commercial software is very important. |
| 157 |
<p> |
<p> |
| 158 |
However, 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 |
| 159 |
don't substantively limit your freedom to release modified versions, or |
don't substantively limit your freedom to release modified versions, or |
| 160 |
your freedom to make and use modified versions privately. Rules that <q>if |
your freedom to make and use modified versions privately. Rules that “if |
| 161 |
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 |
| 162 |
that way also</q> can be acceptable too, on the same condition. (Note that |
that way also” can be acceptable too, on the same condition. (Note that |
| 163 |
such a rule still leaves you the choice of whether to publish your version |
such a rule still leaves you the choice of whether to publish your version |
| 164 |
at all.) Rules that require release of source code to the users for |
at all.) Rules that require release of source code to the users for |
| 165 |
versions that you put into public use are also acceptable. It is also |
versions that you put into public use are also acceptable. It is also |
| 171 |
|
|
| 172 |
<p> |
<p> |
| 173 |
In the GNU project, we use |
In the GNU project, we use |
| 174 |
<q><a href="/copyleft/copyleft.html">copyleft</a></q> |
“<a href="/copyleft/copyleft.html">copyleft</a>” |
| 175 |
to protect these freedoms legally for everyone. But |
to protect these freedoms legally for everyone. But |
| 176 |
<a href="/philosophy/categories.html#Non-CopyleftedFreeSoftware">non-copylefted |
<a href="/philosophy/categories.html#Non-CopyleftedFreeSoftware">non-copylefted |
| 177 |
free software</a> also exists. We believe there are important reasons why |
free software</a> also exists. We believe there are important reasons why |
| 182 |
|
|
| 183 |
<p> |
<p> |
| 184 |
See <a href="/philosophy/categories.html">Categories of Free Software</a> |
See <a href="/philosophy/categories.html">Categories of Free Software</a> |
| 185 |
for a description of how <q>free software,</q> <q>copylefted software</q> |
for a description of how “free software,” “copylefted software” |
| 186 |
and other categories of software relate to each other. |
and other categories of software relate to each other. |
| 187 |
</p> |
</p> |
| 188 |
|
|
| 219 |
|
|
| 220 |
<p> |
<p> |
| 221 |
When talking about free software, it is best to avoid using terms |
When talking about free software, it is best to avoid using terms |
| 222 |
like <q>give away</q> or <q>for free,</q> because those terms imply that |
like “give away” or “for free,” because those terms imply that |
| 223 |
the issue is about price, not freedom. Some common terms such |
the issue is about price, not freedom. Some common terms such |
| 224 |
as <q>piracy</q> embody opinions we hope you won't endorse. See |
as “piracy” embody opinions we hope you won't endorse. See |
| 225 |
<a href="/philosophy/words-to-avoid.html">Confusing Words and Phrases that |
<a href="/philosophy/words-to-avoid.html">Confusing Words and Phrases that |
| 226 |
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 |
| 227 |
a list of proper <a href="/philosophy/fs-translations.html">translations of |
a list of proper <a href="/philosophy/fs-translations.html">translations of |
| 228 |
<q>free software</q></a> into various languages. |
“free software”</a> into various languages. |
| 229 |
</p> |
</p> |
| 230 |
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|
| 231 |
<p> |
<p> |
| 289 |
<h2 id="open-source">Open Source?</h2> |
<h2 id="open-source">Open Source?</h2> |
| 290 |
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|
| 291 |
<p> |
<p> |
| 292 |
Another group has started using the term <q>open source</q> to mean |
Another group has started using the term “open source” to mean |
| 293 |
something close (but not identical) to <q>free software.</q> We |
something close (but not identical) to “free software.” We |
| 294 |
prefer the term <q>free software</q> because, once you have heard that |
prefer the term “free software” because, once you have heard that |
| 295 |
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 |
| 296 |
word <q>open</q> <a href="/philosophy/open-source-misses-the-point.html"> |
word “open” <a href="/philosophy/open-source-misses-the-point.html"> |
| 297 |
never refers to freedom</a>. |
never refers to freedom</a>. |
| 298 |
</p> |
</p> |
| 299 |
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