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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    <blockquote class="note" id="fsf-licensing"><p style="font-size: 80%">
15    Have a question about free software licensing not answered here?
16    See our other <a href="http://www.fsf.org/licensing">licensing resources</a>,
17    and if necessary contact the FSF Compliance Lab
18    at <a href="mailto:licensing@fsf.org">licensing@fsf.org</a>.</p>
19    </blockquote>
20    
21    <h3>The Free Software Definition</h3>
22    
23    <blockquote>
24    <p>
25    The free software definition presents the criteria for whether a
26    particular software program qualifies as free software.  From time to
27    time we revise this definition, to clarify it or to resolve questions
28    about subtle issues.  See the <a href="#History">History section</a>
29    below for a list of changes that affect the definition of free
30    software.
31    </p>
32    
33  <p>  <p>
34  We maintain this free software definition to show clearly what must be  &ldquo;Open source&rdquo; is something different: it has a very
35  true about a particular software program for it to be considered free  different philosophy based on different values.  Its practical
36  software.  From time to time we revise this definition to clarify it.  definition is different too, but nearly all open source programs are
37  If you would like to review the changes we've made, please see  in fact free.  We explain the
38  the <a href="#History">History section</a> below for more information.  difference <a href="/philosophy/open-source-misses-the-point.html">here</a>.
39  </p>  </p>
40    </blockquote>
41    
42  <p>  <p>
43  &ldquo;Free software&rdquo; is a matter of liberty, not price.  To understand  &ldquo;Free software&rdquo; means software that respects users'
44  the concept, you should think of &ldquo;free&rdquo; as in &ldquo;free speech,&rdquo;  freedom and community.  Roughly, it means that <b>the users have the
45  not as in &ldquo;free beer.&rdquo;  freedom to run, copy, distribute, study, change and improve the
46    software</b>.  Thus, &ldquo;free software&rdquo; is a matter of
47    liberty, not price.  To understand the concept, you should think of
48    &ldquo;free&rdquo; as in &ldquo;free speech,&rdquo; not as in
49    &ldquo;free beer&rdquo;.  We sometimes call it &ldquo;libre
50    software,&rdquo; borrowing the French or Spanish word for
51    &ldquo;free&rdquo; as in freedom, to show we do not mean the software
52    is gratis.
53  </p>  </p>
54    
55  <p>  <p>
56  Free software is a matter of the users' freedom to run, copy, distribute,  We campaign for these freedoms because everyone deserves them.  With
57  study, change and improve the software.  More precisely, it means that the  these freedoms, the users (both individually and collectively) control
58  program's users have the four essential freedoms:  the program and what it does for them.  When users don't control the
59    program, we call it a &ldquo;nonfree&rdquo; or
60    &ldquo;proprietary&rdquo; program.  The nonfree program controls the
61    users, and the developer controls the program; this makes the
62    program <a href="/philosophy/free-software-even-more-important.html">
63    an instrument of unjust power</a>.
64    </p>
65    
66    <h4> The four essential freedoms</h4>
67    
68    <p>
69    A program is free software if the program's users have the
70    four essential freedoms:
71  </p>  </p>
72    
73  <ul>  <ul>
74    <li>The freedom to run the program, for any purpose (freedom 0).</li>    <li>The freedom to run the program as you wish,
75    <li>The freedom to study how the program works, and change it to make        for any purpose (freedom 0).</li>
76        it do what you wish (freedom 1). Access to the source code is a    <li>The freedom to study how the program works, and change it so it
77        precondition for this.        does your computing as you wish (freedom 1). Access to the source
78          code is a precondition for this.
79    </li>    </li>
80    <li>The freedom to redistribute copies so you can help your neighbor    <li>The freedom to redistribute copies so you can help others
81        (freedom 2).        (freedom 2).
82    </li>    </li>
83    <li>The freedom to distribute copies of your modified versions    <li>The freedom to distribute copies of your modified versions
# Line 48  program's users have the four essential Line 88  program's users have the four essential
88  </ul>  </ul>
89    
90  <p>  <p>
91  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
92  you should be free to redistribute copies, either with or without  freedoms.  Otherwise, it is nonfree.  While we can distinguish various
93  modifications, either gratis or charging a fee for distribution, to  nonfree distribution schemes in terms of how far they fall short of
94  <a href="#exportcontrol">anyone anywhere</a>.  Being free to do these  being free, we consider them all equally unethical.</p>
95  things means (among other things) that you do not have to ask or pay  
96  for permission to do so.  <p>In any given scenario, these freedoms must apply to whatever code
97  </p>  we plan to make use of, or lead others to make use of.  For instance,
98    consider a program A which automatically launches a program B to
99    handle some cases.  If we plan to distribute A as it stands, that
100    implies users will need B, so we need to judge whether both A and B
101    are free.  However, if we plan to modify A so that it doesn't use B,
102    only A needs to be free; B is not pertinent to that plan.</p>
103    
104  <p>  <p>
105  You should also have the freedom to make modifications and use them  &ldquo;Free software&rdquo; does not mean &ldquo;noncommercial&rdquo;.  A free
106  privately in your own work or play, without even mentioning that they  program must be available for commercial use, commercial development,
107  exist.  If you do publish your changes, you should not be required to  and commercial distribution.  Commercial development of free software
108  notify anyone in particular, or in any particular way.  is no longer unusual; such free commercial software is very important.
109    You may have paid money to get copies of free software, or you may have
110    obtained copies at no charge.  But regardless of how you got your copies,
111    you always have the freedom to copy and change the software, even to
112    <a href="/philosophy/selling.html">sell copies</a>.
113  </p>  </p>
114    
115    <p>The rest of this page clarifies certain points about what makes
116    specific freedoms adequate or not.</p>
117    
118    <h4>The freedom to run the program as you wish</h4>
119    
120  <p>  <p>
121  The freedom to run the program means the freedom for any kind of person  The freedom to run the program means the freedom for any kind of person
122  or organization to use it on any kind of computer system, for any kind of  or organization to use it on any kind of computer system, for any kind of
# Line 75  for her purposes, but you are not entitl Line 129  for her purposes, but you are not entitl
129  </p>  </p>
130    
131  <p>  <p>
132  The freedom to redistribute copies must include binary or executable  The freedom to run the program as you wish means that you are not
133  forms of the program, as well as source code, for both modified and  forbidden or stopped from making it run.  This has nothing to do with what
134  unmodified versions.  (Distributing programs in runnable form is necessary  functionality the program has, whether it is technically capable of
135  for conveniently installable free operating systems.)  It is OK if there  functioning in any given environment, or whether it is useful for any
136  is no way to produce a binary or executable form for a certain program  particular computing activity.</p>
137  (since some languages don't support that feature), but you must have the  
138  freedom to redistribute such forms should you find or develop a way to  <h4>The freedom to study the source code and make changes</h4>
 make them.  
 </p>  
139    
140  <p>  <p>
141  In order for freedoms 1 and 3 (the freedom to make changes and the  In order for freedoms 1 and 3 (the freedom to make changes and the
142  freedom to publish improved versions) to be meaningful, you must have  freedom to publish the changed versions) to be meaningful, you must have
143  access to the source code of the program.  Therefore, accessibility of  access to the source code of the program.  Therefore, accessibility of
144  source code is a necessary condition for free software.  Obfuscated  source code is a necessary condition for free software.  Obfuscated
145  &ldquo;source code&rdquo; is not real source code and does not count  &ldquo;source code&rdquo; is not real source code and does not count
# Line 97  as source code. Line 149  as source code.
149  <p>  <p>
150  Freedom 1 includes the freedom to use your changed version in place of  Freedom 1 includes the freedom to use your changed version in place of
151  the original.  If the program is delivered in a product designed to  the original.  If the program is delivered in a product designed to
152  run someone else's modified versions but refuse to run yours &mdash;  run someone else's modified versions but refuse to run yours &mdash; a
153  a practice known as &ldquo;tivoization&rdquo; or (through  practice known as &ldquo;tivoization&rdquo; or &ldquo;lockdown&rdquo;,
154  blacklisting) as &ldquo;secure boot&rdquo; &mdash; freedom 1 becomes a  or (in its practitioners' perverse terminology) as &ldquo;secure
155  theoretical fiction rather than a practical freedom.  This is not  boot&rdquo; &mdash; freedom 1 becomes an empty pretense rather than a
156  sufficient.  In other words, these binaries are not free software  practical reality.  These binaries are not free
157  even if the source code they are compiled from is free.  software even if the source code they are compiled from is free.
158  </p>  </p>
159    
160  <p>  <p>
# Line 114  license is too restrictive to qualify as Line 166  license is too restrictive to qualify as
166  </p>  </p>
167    
168  <p>  <p>
169  Freedom 3 includes the freedom to use release your modified versions  Whether a change constitutes an improvement is a subjective matter.
170    If your right to modify a program is limited, in substance, to changes that
171    someone else considers an improvement, that program is not free.
172    </p>
173    
174    <h4>The freedom to redistribute if you wish: basic requirements</h4>
175    
176    <p>Freedom to distribute (freedoms 2 and 3) means you are free to
177    redistribute copies, either with or without modifications, either
178    gratis or charging a fee for distribution, to
179    <a href="#exportcontrol">anyone anywhere</a>.  Being free to do these
180    things means (among other things) that you do not have to ask or pay
181    for permission to do so.
182    </p>
183    
184    <p>
185    You should also have the freedom to make modifications and use them
186    privately in your own work or play, without even mentioning that they
187    exist.  If you do publish your changes, you should not be required to
188    notify anyone in particular, or in any particular way.
189    </p>
190    
191    <p>
192    Freedom 3 includes the freedom to release your modified versions
193  as free software.  A free license may also permit other ways of  as free software.  A free license may also permit other ways of
194  releasing them; in other words, it does not have to be  releasing them; in other words, it does not have to be
195  a <a href="/copyleft/copyleft.html">copyleft</a> license.  However, a  a <a href="/copyleft/copyleft.html">copyleft</a> license.  However, a
# Line 123  as a free license. Line 198  as a free license.
198  </p>  </p>
199    
200  <p>  <p>
201  In order for these freedoms to be real, they must be permanent and  The freedom to redistribute copies must include binary or executable
202  irrevocable as long as you do nothing wrong; if the developer of the  forms of the program, as well as source code, for both modified and
203  software has the power to revoke the license, or retroactively change  unmodified versions.  (Distributing programs in runnable form is necessary
204  its terms, without your doing anything wrong to give cause, the  for conveniently installable free operating systems.)  It is OK if there
205  software is not free.  is no way to produce a binary or executable form for a certain program
206    (since some languages don't support that feature), but you must have the
207    freedom to redistribute such forms should you find or develop a way to
208    make them.
209  </p>  </p>
210    
211  <p>  <h4>Copyleft</h4>
 However, certain kinds of rules about the manner of distributing free  
 software are acceptable, when they don't conflict with the central  
 freedoms.  For example, copyleft (very simply stated) is the rule that  
 when redistributing the program, you cannot add restrictions to deny  
 other people the central freedoms.  This rule does not conflict with  
 the central freedoms; rather it protects them.  
 </p>  
212    
213  <p>  <p>
214  &ldquo;Free software&rdquo; does not mean &ldquo;noncommercial.&rdquo;  A free  Certain kinds of rules about the manner of distributing free
215  program must be available for commercial use, commercial development,  software are acceptable, when they don't conflict with the central
216  and commercial distribution.  Commercial development of free software  freedoms.  For example, <a href="/copyleft/copyleft.html">copyleft</a>
217  is no longer unusual; such free commercial software is very important.  (very simply stated) is the rule that when redistributing the program,
218  You may have paid money to get copies of free software, or you may have  you cannot add restrictions to deny other people the central freedoms.
219  obtained copies at no charge.  But regardless of how you got your copies,  This rule does not conflict with the central freedoms; rather it
220  you always have the freedom to copy and change the software, even to  protects them.
 <a href="/philosophy/selling.html">sell copies</a>.  
221  </p>  </p>
222    
223  <p>  <p>
224  Whether a change constitutes an improvement is a subjective matter.  In the GNU project, we use copyleft to protect the four freedoms
225  If your modifications are limited, in substance, to changes that  legally for everyone.  We believe there are important reasons why
226  someone else considers an improvement, that is not freedom.  <a href="/philosophy/pragmatic.html">it is better to use
227    copyleft</a>.  However,
228    <a href="/philosophy/categories.html#Non-CopyleftedFreeSoftware">
229    noncopylefted free software</a> is ethical
230    too.  See <a href="/philosophy/categories.html">Categories of Free
231    Software</a> for a description of how &ldquo;free software,&rdquo;
232    &ldquo;copylefted software&rdquo; and other categories of software
233    relate to each other.
234    </p>
235    
236    <h4>Rules about packaging and distribution details</h4>
237    
238    <p>
239    Rules about how to package a modified version are acceptable,
240    if they don't substantively limit your freedom to release modified
241    versions, or your freedom to make and use modified versions privately.
242    Thus, it is acceptable for the license to require that you change the
243    name of the modified version, remove a logo, or identify your
244    modifications as yours.  As long as these requirements are not so
245    burdensome that they effectively hamper you from releasing your
246    changes, they are acceptable; you're already making other changes to
247    the program, so you won't have trouble making a few more.
248  </p>  </p>
249    
250  <p>  <p>
251  However, 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
252  don't substantively limit your freedom to release modified versions, or  must make it available in that way also&rdquo; can be acceptable too,
253  your freedom to make and use modified versions privately.  Rules that &ldquo;if  on the same condition.  An example of such an acceptable rule is one
254  you make your version available in this way, you must make it available in  saying that if you have distributed a
255  that way also&rdquo; can be acceptable too, on the same condition.  (Note that  modified version and a previous developer asks for a copy of it, you
256  such a rule still leaves you the choice of whether to publish your version  must send one.  (Note that such a rule still leaves you the choice of
257  at all.)  Rules that require release of source code to the users for  whether to distribute your version at all.)  Rules that require release
258  versions that you put into public use are also acceptable.  It is also  of source code to the users for versions that you put into public use
259  acceptable for the license to require that you identify  are also acceptable.
 your modifications as yours, or that, if you have distributed a modified  
 version and a previous developer asks for a copy of it, you must send  
 one.  
260  </p>  </p>
261    
262  <p>  <p>
263  In the GNU project, we use  A special issue arises when a license requires changing the name by
264  &ldquo;<a href="/copyleft/copyleft.html">copyleft</a>&rdquo;  which the program will be invoked from other programs.  That
265  to protect these freedoms legally for everyone.  But  effectively hampers you from releasing your changed version so that it
266  <a href="/philosophy/categories.html#Non-CopyleftedFreeSoftware">non-copylefted  can replace the original when invoked by those other programs.  This
267  free software</a> also exists.  We believe there are important reasons why  sort of requirement is acceptable only if there's a suitable aliasing
268  <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
269  but if your program is non-copylefted free software, it is still basically  alias for the modified version.</p>
 ethical.  
 </p>  
270    
271  <p>  <h4>Export regulations</h4>
 See <a href="/philosophy/categories.html">Categories of Free Software</a>  
 for a description of how &ldquo;free software,&rdquo; &ldquo;copylefted software&rdquo;  
 and other categories of software relate to each other.  
 </p>  
272    
273  <p>  <p>
274  Sometimes government <a id="exportcontrol">export control regulations</a>  Sometimes government <a id="exportcontrol">export control regulations</a>
# Line 196  eliminate or override these restrictions Line 278  eliminate or override these restrictions
278  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
279  way, the restrictions will not affect activities and people outside the  way, the restrictions will not affect activities and people outside the
280  jurisdictions of these governments.  Thus, free software licenses  jurisdictions of these governments.  Thus, free software licenses
281  must not require obedience to any export regulations as a condition of  must not require obedience to any nontrivial export regulations as a
282  any of the essential freedoms.  condition of exercising any of the essential freedoms.
283    </p>
284    
285    <p>
286    Merely mentioning the existence of export regulations, without making
287    them a condition of the license itself, is acceptable since it does
288    not restrict users.  If an export regulation is actually trivial for
289    free software, then requiring it as a condition is not an actual
290    problem; however, it is a potential problem, since a later change in
291    export law could make the requirement nontrivial and thus render the
292    software nonfree.
293    </p>
294    
295    <h4>Legal considerations</h4>
296    
297    <p>
298    In order for these freedoms to be real, they must be permanent and
299    irrevocable as long as you do nothing wrong; if the developer of the
300    software has the power to revoke the license, or retroactively add
301    restrictions to its terms, without your doing anything wrong to give
302    cause, the software is not free.
303    </p>
304    
305    <p>
306    A free license may not require compliance with the license of a
307    nonfree program.  Thus, for instance, if a license requires you to
308    comply with the licenses of &ldquo;all the programs you use&rdquo;, in
309    the case of a user that runs nonfree programs this would require
310    compliance with the licenses of those nonfree programs; that makes the
311    license nonfree.
312  </p>  </p>
313    
314  <p>  <p>
315    It is acceptable for a free license to specify which jurisdiction's
316    law applies, or where litigation must be done, or both.
317    </p>
318    
319    <h4>Contract-based licenses</h4>
320    
321    <p>
322  Most free software licenses are based on copyright, and there are limits  Most free software licenses are based on copyright, and there are limits
323  on what kinds of requirements can be imposed through copyright.  If a  on what kinds of requirements can be imposed through copyright.  If a
324  copyright-based license respects freedom in the ways described above, it  copyright-based license respects freedom in the ways described above, it
# Line 219  legitimate, we will have to think about Line 337  legitimate, we will have to think about
337  it is nonfree.  it is nonfree.
338  </p>  </p>
339    
340    <h4>Use the right words when talking about free software</h4>
341    
342  <p>  <p>
343  When talking about free software, it is best to avoid using terms  When talking about free software, it is best to avoid using terms
344  like &ldquo;give away&rdquo; or &ldquo;for free,&rdquo; because those terms imply that  like &ldquo;give away&rdquo; or &ldquo;for free,&rdquo; because those terms imply that
# Line 230  a list of proper <a href="/philosophy/fs Line 350  a list of proper <a href="/philosophy/fs
350  &ldquo;free software&rdquo;</a> into various languages.  &ldquo;free software&rdquo;</a> into various languages.
351  </p>  </p>
352    
353    <h4>How we interpret these criteria</h4>
354    
355  <p>  <p>
356  Finally, note that criteria such as those stated in this free software  Finally, note that criteria such as those stated in this free software
357  definition require careful thought for their interpretation.  To decide  definition require careful thought for their interpretation.  To decide
# Line 244  a conclusion about a new issue, we often Line 366  a conclusion about a new issue, we often
366  it easier to see why certain licenses do or don't qualify.  it easier to see why certain licenses do or don't qualify.
367  </p>  </p>
368    
369    <h4>Get help with free licenses</h4>
370    
371  <p>  <p>
372  If you are interested in whether a specific license qualifies as a free  If you are interested in whether a specific license qualifies as a free
373  software license, see our <a href="/licenses/license-list.html">list  software license, see our <a href="/licenses/license-list.html">list
# Line 266  help you can ensure that the license rea Line 390  help you can ensure that the license rea
390  and avoid various practical problems.  and avoid various practical problems.
391  </p>  </p>
392    
393  <h2 id="beyond-software">Beyond Software</h2>  <h3 id="beyond-software">Beyond Software</h3>
394    
395  <p>  <p>
396  <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 278  manuals are in effect part of the softwa Line 402  manuals are in effect part of the softwa
402  The same arguments also make sense for other kinds of works of  The same arguments also make sense for other kinds of works of
403  practical use &mdash; that is to say, works that embody useful knowledge,  practical use &mdash; that is to say, works that embody useful knowledge,
404  such as educational works and reference  such as educational works and reference
405  works.  <a href="http://wikipedia.org">Wikipedia</a> is the best known  works.  <a href="http://wikipedia.org">Wikipedia</a> is the best-known
406  example.  example.
407  </p>  </p>
408    
# Line 288  has been extended to a definition of <a Line 412  has been extended to a definition of <a
412  free cultural works</a> applicable to any kind of works.  free cultural works</a> applicable to any kind of works.
413  </p>  </p>
414    
415  <h2 id="open-source">Open Source?</h2>  <h3 id="open-source">Open Source?</h3>
416    
417  <p>  <p>
418  Another group has started using the term &ldquo;open source&rdquo; to mean  Another group uses the term &ldquo;open source&rdquo; to mean
419  something close (but not identical) to &ldquo;free software.&rdquo;  We  something close (but not identical) to &ldquo;free software&rdquo;.  We
420  prefer the term &ldquo;free software&rdquo; because, once you have heard that  prefer the term &ldquo;free software&rdquo; because, once you have heard that
421  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
422  word &ldquo;open&rdquo; <a href="/philosophy/open-source-misses-the-point.html">  word &ldquo;open&rdquo; <a href="/philosophy/open-source-misses-the-point.html">
423  never refers to freedom</a>.  never refers to freedom</a>.
424  </p>  </p>
425    
426  <h2 id="History">History</h2>  <h3 id="History">History</h3>
427    
428  <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
429  clarify it.  Here we provide a list of those modifications, along with  the list of substantive changes, along with links to show exactly what
430  links to illustrate exactly what changed, so that others can review  was changed.</p>
 them if they like.</p>  
431    
432  <ul>  <ul>
433    
434    <li><a href="http://web.cvs.savannah.gnu.org/viewvc/www/philosophy/free-sw.html?root=www&amp;r1=1.152&amp;r2=1.153">Version
435    1.153</a>: Clarify that freedom to run the program means nothing stops
436    you from making it run.</li>
437    
438    <li><a href="http://web.cvs.savannah.gnu.org/viewvc/www/philosophy/free-sw.html?root=www&amp;r1=1.140&amp;r2=1.141">Version
439    1.141</a>: Clarify which code needs to be free.</li>
440    
441    <li><a href="http://web.cvs.savannah.gnu.org/viewvc/www/philosophy/free-sw.html?root=www&amp;r1=1.134&amp;r2=1.135">Version
442    1.135</a>: Say each time that freedom 0 is the freedom to run the program
443    as you wish.</li>
444    
445    <li><a href="http://web.cvs.savannah.gnu.org/viewvc/www/philosophy/free-sw.html?root=www&amp;r1=1.133&amp;r2=1.134">Version
446    1.134</a>: Freedom 0 is not a matter of the program's functionality.</li>
447    
448    <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
449    1.131</a>: A free license may not require compliance with a nonfree license
450    of another program.</li>
451    
452    <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
453    1.129</a>: State explicitly that choice of law and choice of forum
454    specifications are allowed.  (This was always our policy.)</li>
455    
456    <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
457    1.122</a>: An export control requirement is a real problem if the
458    requirement is nontrivial; otherwise it is only a potential problem.</li>
459    
460    <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
461    1.118</a>: Clarification: the issue is limits on your right to modify,
462    not on what modifications you have made.  And modifications are not limited
463    to &ldquo;improvements&rdquo;</li>
464    
465    <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
466    1.111</a>: Clarify 1.77 by saying that only
467    retroactive <em>restrictions</em> are unacceptable.  The copyright
468    holders can always grant additional <em>permission</em> for use of the
469    work by releasing the work in another way in parallel.</li>
470    
471    <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
472    1.105</a>: Reflect, in the brief statement of freedom 1, the point
473    (already stated in version 1.80) that it includes really using your modified
474    version for your computing.</li>
475    
476  <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  <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
477  1.92</a>: Clarify that obfuscated code does not qualify as source code.</li>  1.92</a>: Clarify that obfuscated code does not qualify as source code.</li>
478    
# Line 376  licenses.</li> Line 541  licenses.</li>
541    
542  <li><a href="http://web.cvs.savannah.gnu.org/viewvc/www/philosophy/free-sw.html?root=www&amp;r1=1.10&amp;r2=1.11">Version  <li><a href="http://web.cvs.savannah.gnu.org/viewvc/www/philosophy/free-sw.html?root=www&amp;r1=1.10&amp;r2=1.11">Version
543  1.11</a>: Note that a free license may require you to send a copy of  1.11</a>: Note that a free license may require you to send a copy of
544  versions you distribute to the author.</li>  versions you distribute to previous developers on request.</li>
545    
546  </ul>  </ul>
547    
548  <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
549  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
550  Instead, they fix links, add translations, and so on.  If you would  interpretations.  For instance, the list does not include changes in
551  like to review the complete list of changes, you can do so on  asides, formatting, spelling, punctuation, or other parts of the page.
552  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
553    the <a href="http://web.cvs.savannah.gnu.org/viewvc/www/philosophy/free-sw.html?root=www&amp;view=log">cvsweb
554  interface</a>.</p>  interface</a>.</p>
555    
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556    
557    </div><!-- for id="content", starts in the include above -->
558  <!--#include virtual="/server/footer.html" -->  <!--#include virtual="/server/footer.html" -->
   
559  <div id="footer">  <div id="footer">
560    <div class="unprintable">
561    
562  <p>  <p>Please send general FSF &amp; GNU inquiries to
 Please send FSF &amp; GNU inquiries to  
563  <a href="mailto:gnu@gnu.org">&lt;gnu@gnu.org&gt;</a>.  <a href="mailto:gnu@gnu.org">&lt;gnu@gnu.org&gt;</a>.
564  There are also <a href="/contact/">other ways to contact</a>  There are also <a href="/contact/">other ways to contact</a>
565  the FSF.  the FSF.  Broken links and other corrections or suggestions can be sent
566  <br />  to <a href="mailto:webmasters@gnu.org">&lt;webmasters@gnu.org&gt;</a>.</p>
567  Please send broken links and other corrections or suggestions to  
568  <a href="mailto:webmasters@gnu.org">&lt;webmasters@gnu.org&gt;</a>.  <p><!-- TRANSLATORS: Ignore the original text in this paragraph,
569  </p>          replace it with the translation of these two:
570    
571            We work hard and do our best to provide accurate, good quality
572            translations.  However, we are not exempt from imperfection.
573            Please send your comments and general suggestions in this regard
574            to <a href="mailto:web-translators@gnu.org">
575            &lt;web-translators@gnu.org&gt;</a>.</p>
576    
577            <p>For information on coordinating and submitting translations of
578            our web pages, see <a
579            href="/server/standards/README.translations.html">Translations
580            README</a>. -->
581    Please see the <a
582    href="/server/standards/README.translations.html">Translations
583    README</a> for information on coordinating and submitting translations
584    of this article.</p>
585    </div>
586    
587  <p>  <!-- Regarding copyright, in general, standalone pages (as opposed to
588  Please see the       files generated as part of manuals) on the GNU web server should
589  <a href="/server/standards/README.translations.html">Translations       be under CC BY-ND 4.0.  Please do NOT change or remove this
590  README</a> for information on coordinating and submitting       without talking with the webmasters or licensing team first.
591  translations of this article.       Please make sure the copyright date is consistent with the
592  </p>       document.  For web pages, it is ok to list just the latest year the
593         document was modified, or published.
594        
595         If you wish to list earlier years, that is ok too.
596         Either "2001, 2002, 2003" or "2001-2003" are ok for specifying
597         years, as long as each year in the range is in fact a copyrightable
598         year, i.e., a year in which the document was published (including
599         being publicly visible on the web or in a revision control system).
600        
601         There is more detail about copyright years in the GNU Maintainers
602         Information document, www.gnu.org/prep/maintain. -->
603    
604    <p>Copyright &copy; 1996, 2002, 2004-2007, 2009-2018
605    Free Software Foundation, Inc.</p>
606    
607    <p>This page is licensed under a <a rel="license"
608    href="http://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-nd/4.0/">Creative
609    Commons Attribution-NoDerivatives 4.0 International License</a>.</p>
610    
611  <p>  <!--#include virtual="/server/bottom-notes.html" -->
 Copyright &copy; 1996, 1997, 1998, 1999, 2000, 2001, 2002, 2003, 2004,  
 2005, 2006, 2007, 2009 Free Software Foundation, Inc.  
 </p>  
 <p>Verbatim copying and distribution of this entire article is  
 permitted in any medium without royalty provided this notice is  
 preserved.  
 </p>  
612    
613  <p>  <p class="unprintable">Updated:
 Updated:  
614  <!-- timestamp start -->  <!-- timestamp start -->
615  $Date$  $Date$
616  <!-- timestamp end -->  <!-- timestamp end -->
617  </p>  </p>
618  </div>  </div>
   
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 <li><a href="/philosophy/free-sw.af.html">Afrikaans</a>&nbsp;[af]</li>  
 <!-- Arabic -->  
 <li><a href="/philosophy/free-sw.ar.html">&#1575;&#1604;&#1593;&#1585;&#1576;&#1610;&#1577;</a>&nbsp;[ar]</li>  
 <!-- Azerbaijani -->  
 <li><a href="/philosophy/free-sw.az.html">Az&#x0259;rbaycanca</a>&nbsp;[az]</li>  
 <!-- Bulgarian -->  
 <li><a href="/philosophy/free-sw.bg.html">&#x431;&#x44A;&#x43B;&#x433;&#x430;&#x440;&#x441;&#x43A;&#x438;</a>&nbsp;[bg]</li>  
 <!-- Bengali -->  
 <li><a href="/philosophy/free-sw.bn.html">&#2476;&#2494;&#2434;&#2482;&#2494;</a>&nbsp;[bn]</li>  
 <!-- Bosnian -->  
 <li><a href="/philosophy/free-sw.bs.html">bosanski</a>&nbsp;[bs]</li>  
 <!-- Catalan -->  
 <li><a href="/philosophy/free-sw.ca.html">catal&#x00e0;</a>&nbsp;[ca]</li>  
 <!-- Czech -->  
 <li><a href="/philosophy/free-sw.cs.html">&#x010c;esky</a>&nbsp;[cs]</li>  
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 <!-- German -->  
 <li><a href="/philosophy/free-sw.de.html">Deutsch</a>&nbsp;[de]</li>  
 <!-- Greek -->  
 <li><a href="/philosophy/free-sw.el.html">&#x03b5;&#x03bb;&#x03bb;&#x03b7;&#x03bd;&#x03b9;&#x03ba;&#x03ac;</a>&nbsp;[el]</li>  
 <!-- English -->  
 <li><a href="/philosophy/free-sw.html">English</a>&nbsp;[en]</li>  
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 <!-- Spanish -->  
 <li><a href="/philosophy/free-sw.es.html">espa&#x00f1;ol</a>&nbsp;[es]</li>  
 <!-- Farsi (Persian) -->  
 <li><a href="/philosophy/free-sw.fa.html">&#x0641;&#x0627;&#x0631;&#x0633;&#x06cc;</a>&nbsp;[fa]</li>  
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 <li><a href="/philosophy/free-sw.fr.html">fran&#x00e7;ais</a>&nbsp;[fr]</li>  
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 <li><a href="/philosophy/free-sw.he.html">&#x05e2;&#x05d1;&#x05e8;&#x05d9;&#x05ea;</a>&nbsp;[he]</li>  
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 <!-- Romanian -->  
 <li><a href="/philosophy/free-sw.ro.html">rom&#x00e2;n&#x0103;</a>&nbsp;[ro]</li>  
 <!-- Russian -->  
 <li><a href="/philosophy/free-sw.ru.html">&#x0440;&#x0443;&#x0441;&#x0441;&#x043a;&#x0438;&#x0439;</a>&nbsp;[ru]</li>  
 <!-- Slovak -->  
 <li><a href="/philosophy/free-sw.sk.html">sloven&#269;ina</a>&nbsp;[sk]</li>  
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 <!-- Chinese (Traditional) -->  
 <li><a href="/philosophy/free-sw.zh-tw.html">&#x7e41;&#x9ad4;&#x4e2d;&#x6587;</a>&nbsp;[zh-tw]</li>  
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619  </div>  </div>
   
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620  </body>  </body>
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