1 |
<!--#include virtual="/server/header.html" --> |
<!--#include virtual="/server/header.html" --> |
2 |
|
<!-- Parent-Version: 1.86 --> |
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 |
|
<style type="text/css" media="print,screen"><!-- |
6 |
|
.note { margin-left: 6%; margin-right: 6%; } |
7 |
|
@media (min-width: 48em) { |
8 |
|
.note { margin-top: .8em; } |
9 |
|
} |
10 |
|
--></style> |
11 |
<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" /> |
12 |
<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." /> |
|
<link rel="alternate" title="What's New" href="http://www.gnu.org/rss/whatsnew.rss" type="application/rss+xml" /> |
|
|
<link rel="alternate" title="New Free Software" href="http://www.gnu.org/rss/quagga.rss" type="application/rss+xml" /> |
|
13 |
|
|
14 |
|
<!--#include virtual="/philosophy/po/free-sw.translist" --> |
15 |
<!--#include virtual="/server/banner.html" --> |
<!--#include virtual="/server/banner.html" --> |
16 |
|
|
17 |
<h2>The Free Software Definition</h2> |
<h2>What is free software?</h2> |
18 |
|
|
19 |
<p> |
<div class="article"> |
20 |
We maintain this free software definition to show clearly what must be |
<h3>The Free Software Definition</h3> |
21 |
true about a particular software program for it to be considered free |
|
22 |
software. From time to time we revise this definition to clarify it. |
<blockquote class="note" id="fsf-licensing"><p style="font-size: 80%"> |
23 |
If you would like to review the changes we've made, please see |
Have a question about free software licensing not answered here? |
24 |
the <a href="#History">History section</a> below for more information. |
See our other <a href="http://www.fsf.org/licensing">licensing resources</a>, |
25 |
|
and if necessary contact the FSF Compliance Lab |
26 |
|
at <a href="mailto:licensing@fsf.org">licensing@fsf.org</a>.</p> |
27 |
|
</blockquote> |
28 |
|
|
29 |
|
<div class="comment"> |
30 |
|
<p> |
31 |
|
The free software definition presents the criteria for whether a |
32 |
|
particular software program qualifies as free software. From time to |
33 |
|
time we revise this definition, to clarify it or to resolve questions |
34 |
|
about subtle issues. See the <a href="#History">History section</a> |
35 |
|
below for a list of changes that affect the definition of free |
36 |
|
software. |
37 |
</p> |
</p> |
38 |
|
|
39 |
<p> |
<p> |
40 |
“Free software” is a matter of liberty, not price. To understand |
“Open source” is something different: it has a very |
41 |
the concept, you should think of “free” as in “free speech,” |
different philosophy based on different values. Its practical |
42 |
not as in “free beer.” |
definition is different too, but nearly all open source programs are |
43 |
|
in fact free. We explain the |
44 |
|
difference in <a href="/philosophy/open-source-misses-the-point.html"> |
45 |
|
Why “Open Source” misses the point of Free Software</a>. |
46 |
</p> |
</p> |
47 |
|
</div> |
48 |
|
|
49 |
<p> |
<p> |
50 |
Free software is a matter of the users' freedom to run, copy, distribute, |
“Free software” means software that respects users' |
51 |
study, change and improve the software. More precisely, it means that the |
freedom and community. Roughly, it means that <b>the users have the |
52 |
program's users have the four essential freedoms: |
freedom to run, copy, distribute, study, change and improve the |
53 |
|
software</b>. Thus, “free software” is a matter of |
54 |
|
liberty, not price. To understand the concept, you should think of |
55 |
|
“free” as in “free speech,” not as in |
56 |
|
“free beer”. We sometimes call it “libre |
57 |
|
software,” borrowing the French or Spanish word for |
58 |
|
“free” as in freedom, to show we do not mean the software |
59 |
|
is gratis. |
60 |
</p> |
</p> |
61 |
|
|
62 |
<ul> |
<p> |
63 |
<li>The freedom to run the program, for any purpose (freedom 0).</li> |
We campaign for these freedoms because everyone deserves them. With |
64 |
<li>The freedom to study how the program works, and change it to make |
these freedoms, the users (both individually and collectively) control |
65 |
it do what you wish (freedom 1). Access to the source code is a |
the program and what it does for them. When users don't control the |
66 |
precondition for this. |
program, we call it a “nonfree” or |
67 |
|
“proprietary” program. The nonfree program controls the |
68 |
|
users, and the developer controls the program; this makes the |
69 |
|
program <a href="/philosophy/free-software-even-more-important.html"> |
70 |
|
an instrument of unjust power</a>. |
71 |
|
</p> |
72 |
|
|
73 |
|
<h4> The four essential freedoms</h4> |
74 |
|
|
75 |
|
<p> |
76 |
|
A program is free software if the program's users have the |
77 |
|
four essential freedoms: <a href="#f1">[1]</a> |
78 |
|
</p> |
79 |
|
|
80 |
|
<ul class="important"> |
81 |
|
<li>The freedom to run the program as you wish, |
82 |
|
for any purpose (freedom 0).</li> |
83 |
|
<li>The freedom to study how the program works, and change it so it |
84 |
|
does your computing as you wish (freedom 1). Access to the source |
85 |
|
code is a precondition for this. |
86 |
</li> |
</li> |
87 |
<li>The freedom to redistribute copies so you can help your neighbor |
<li>The freedom to redistribute copies so you can help others |
88 |
(freedom 2). |
(freedom 2). |
89 |
</li> |
</li> |
90 |
<li>The freedom to distribute copies of your modified versions |
<li>The freedom to distribute copies of your modified versions |
95 |
</ul> |
</ul> |
96 |
|
|
97 |
<p> |
<p> |
98 |
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 |
99 |
you should be free to redistribute copies, either with or without |
freedoms. Otherwise, it is nonfree. While we can distinguish various |
100 |
modifications, either gratis or charging a fee for distribution, to |
nonfree distribution schemes in terms of how far they fall short of |
101 |
<a href="#exportcontrol">anyone anywhere</a>. Being free to do these |
being free, we consider them all equally unethical.</p> |
102 |
things means (among other things) that you do not have to ask or pay |
|
103 |
for permission to do so. |
<p>In any given scenario, these freedoms must apply to whatever code |
104 |
|
we plan to make use of, or lead others to make use of. For instance, |
105 |
|
consider a program A which automatically launches a program B to |
106 |
|
handle some cases. If we plan to distribute A as it stands, that |
107 |
|
implies users will need B, so we need to judge whether both A and B |
108 |
|
are free. However, if we plan to modify A so that it doesn't use B, |
109 |
|
only A needs to be free; B is not pertinent to that plan.</p> |
110 |
|
|
111 |
|
<p> |
112 |
|
“Free software” does not mean “noncommercial”. A free |
113 |
|
program must be available for commercial use, commercial development, |
114 |
|
and commercial distribution. Commercial development of free software |
115 |
|
is no longer unusual; such free commercial software is very important. |
116 |
|
You may have paid money to get copies of free software, or you may have |
117 |
|
obtained copies at no charge. But regardless of how you got your copies, |
118 |
|
you always have the freedom to copy and change the software, even to |
119 |
|
<a href="/philosophy/selling.html">sell copies</a>. |
120 |
</p> |
</p> |
121 |
|
|
122 |
<p> |
<p> |
123 |
You should also have the freedom to make modifications and use them |
A free program must offer the four freedoms to any user that obtains a |
124 |
privately in your own work or play, without even mentioning that they |
copy of the software, provided the user has complied thus far with the |
125 |
exist. If you do publish your changes, you should not be required to |
conditions of the free license covering the software. Putting some of |
126 |
notify anyone in particular, or in any particular way. |
the freedoms off limits to some users, or requiring that users pay, in |
127 |
|
money or in kind, to exercise them, is tantamount to not granting the |
128 |
|
freedoms in question, and thus renders the program nonfree. |
129 |
</p> |
</p> |
130 |
|
|
131 |
|
<p>The rest of this page clarifies certain points about what makes |
132 |
|
specific freedoms adequate or not.</p> |
133 |
|
|
134 |
|
<h4>The freedom to run the program as you wish</h4> |
135 |
|
|
136 |
<p> |
<p> |
137 |
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 |
138 |
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 |
145 |
</p> |
</p> |
146 |
|
|
147 |
<p> |
<p> |
148 |
The freedom to redistribute copies must include binary or executable |
The freedom to run the program as you wish means that you are not |
149 |
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 |
150 |
unmodified versions. (Distributing programs in runnable form is necessary |
functionality the program has, whether it is technically capable of |
151 |
for conveniently installable free operating systems.) It is OK if there |
functioning in any given environment, or whether it is useful for any |
152 |
is no way to produce a binary or executable form for a certain program |
particular computing activity.</p> |
153 |
(since some languages don't support that feature), but you must have the |
|
154 |
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> |
|
155 |
|
|
156 |
<p> |
<p> |
157 |
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 |
158 |
freedom to publish improved versions) to be meaningful, you must have |
freedom to publish the changed versions) to be meaningful, you must have |
159 |
access to the source code of the program. Therefore, accessibility of |
access to the source code of the program. Therefore, accessibility of |
160 |
source code is a necessary condition for free software. Obfuscated |
source code is a necessary condition for free software. Obfuscated |
161 |
“source code” is not real source code and does not count |
“source code” is not real source code and does not count |
165 |
<p> |
<p> |
166 |
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 |
167 |
the original. If the program is delivered in a product designed to |
the original. If the program is delivered in a product designed to |
168 |
run someone else's modified versions but refuse to run yours — |
run someone else's modified versions but refuse to run yours — a |
169 |
a practice known as “tivoization” or (through |
practice known as “tivoization” or “lockdown”, |
170 |
blacklisting) as “secure boot” — freedom 1 becomes a |
or (in its practitioners' perverse terminology) as “secure |
171 |
theoretical fiction rather than a practical freedom. This is not |
boot” — freedom 1 becomes an empty pretense rather than a |
172 |
sufficient. In other words, these binaries are not free software |
practical reality. These binaries are not free |
173 |
even if the source code they are compiled from is free. |
software even if the source code they are compiled from is free. |
174 |
</p> |
</p> |
175 |
|
|
176 |
<p> |
<p> |
182 |
</p> |
</p> |
183 |
|
|
184 |
<p> |
<p> |
185 |
Freedom 3 includes the freedom to use release your modified versions |
Whether a change constitutes an improvement is a subjective matter. |
186 |
|
If your right to modify a program is limited, in substance, to changes that |
187 |
|
someone else considers an improvement, that program is not free. |
188 |
|
</p> |
189 |
|
|
190 |
|
<h4>The freedom to redistribute if you wish: basic requirements</h4> |
191 |
|
|
192 |
|
<p>Freedom to distribute (freedoms 2 and 3) means you are free to |
193 |
|
redistribute copies, either with or without modifications, either |
194 |
|
gratis or charging a fee for distribution, to |
195 |
|
<a href="#exportcontrol">anyone anywhere</a>. Being free to do these |
196 |
|
things means (among other things) that you do not have to ask or pay |
197 |
|
for permission to do so. |
198 |
|
</p> |
199 |
|
|
200 |
|
<p> |
201 |
|
You should also have the freedom to make modifications and use them |
202 |
|
privately in your own work or play, without even mentioning that they |
203 |
|
exist. If you do publish your changes, you should not be required to |
204 |
|
notify anyone in particular, or in any particular way. |
205 |
|
</p> |
206 |
|
|
207 |
|
<p> |
208 |
|
Freedom 3 includes the freedom to release your modified versions |
209 |
as free software. A free license may also permit other ways of |
as free software. A free license may also permit other ways of |
210 |
releasing them; in other words, it does not have to be |
releasing them; in other words, it does not have to be |
211 |
a <a href="/copyleft/copyleft.html">copyleft</a> license. However, a |
a <a href="/copyleft/copyleft.html">copyleft</a> license. However, a |
214 |
</p> |
</p> |
215 |
|
|
216 |
<p> |
<p> |
217 |
In order for these freedoms to be real, they must be permanent and |
The freedom to redistribute copies must include binary or executable |
218 |
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 |
219 |
software has the power to revoke the license, or retroactively change |
unmodified versions. (Distributing programs in runnable form is necessary |
220 |
its terms, without your doing anything wrong to give cause, the |
for conveniently installable free operating systems.) It is OK if there |
221 |
software is not free. |
is no way to produce a binary or executable form for a certain program |
222 |
|
(since some languages don't support that feature), but you must have the |
223 |
|
freedom to redistribute such forms should you find or develop a way to |
224 |
|
make them. |
225 |
</p> |
</p> |
226 |
|
|
227 |
|
<h4>Copyleft</h4> |
228 |
|
|
229 |
<p> |
<p> |
230 |
However, certain kinds of rules about the manner of distributing free |
Certain kinds of rules about the manner of distributing free |
231 |
software are acceptable, when they don't conflict with the central |
software are acceptable, when they don't conflict with the central |
232 |
freedoms. For example, copyleft (very simply stated) is the rule that |
freedoms. For example, <a href="/copyleft/copyleft.html">copyleft</a> |
233 |
when redistributing the program, you cannot add restrictions to deny |
(very simply stated) is the rule that when redistributing the program, |
234 |
other people the central freedoms. This rule does not conflict with |
you cannot add restrictions to deny other people the central freedoms. |
235 |
the central freedoms; rather it protects them. |
This rule does not conflict with the central freedoms; rather it |
236 |
|
protects them. |
237 |
</p> |
</p> |
238 |
|
|
239 |
<p> |
<p> |
240 |
“Free software” does not mean “noncommercial.” A free |
In the GNU project, we use copyleft to protect the four freedoms |
241 |
program must be available for commercial use, commercial development, |
legally for everyone. We believe there are important reasons why |
242 |
and commercial distribution. Commercial development of free software |
<a href="/philosophy/pragmatic.html">it is better to use |
243 |
is no longer unusual; such free commercial software is very important. |
copyleft</a>. However, |
244 |
You may have paid money to get copies of free software, or you may have |
<a href="/philosophy/categories.html#Non-CopyleftedFreeSoftware"> |
245 |
obtained copies at no charge. But regardless of how you got your copies, |
noncopylefted free software</a> is ethical |
246 |
you always have the freedom to copy and change the software, even to |
too. See <a href="/philosophy/categories.html">Categories of Free |
247 |
<a href="/philosophy/selling.html">sell copies</a>. |
Software</a> for a description of how “free software,” |
248 |
|
“copylefted software” and other categories of software |
249 |
|
relate to each other. |
250 |
|
</p> |
251 |
|
|
252 |
|
<h4>Rules about packaging and distribution details</h4> |
253 |
|
|
254 |
|
<p> |
255 |
|
Rules about how to package a modified version are acceptable, |
256 |
|
if they don't substantively limit your freedom to release modified |
257 |
|
versions, or your freedom to make and use modified versions privately. |
258 |
|
Thus, it is acceptable for the license to require that you change the |
259 |
|
name of the modified version, remove a logo, or identify your |
260 |
|
modifications as yours. As long as these requirements are not so |
261 |
|
burdensome that they effectively hamper you from releasing your |
262 |
|
changes, they are acceptable; you're already making other changes to |
263 |
|
the program, so you won't have trouble making a few more. |
264 |
</p> |
</p> |
265 |
|
|
266 |
<p> |
<p> |
267 |
Whether a change constitutes an improvement is a subjective matter. |
Rules that “if you make your version available in this way, you |
268 |
If your modifications are limited, in substance, to changes that |
must make it available in that way also” can be acceptable too, |
269 |
someone else considers an improvement, that is not freedom. |
on the same condition. An example of such an acceptable rule is one |
270 |
|
saying that if you have distributed a |
271 |
|
modified version and a previous developer asks for a copy of it, you |
272 |
|
must send one. (Note that such a rule still leaves you the choice of |
273 |
|
whether to distribute your version at all.) Rules that require release |
274 |
|
of source code to the users for versions that you put into public use |
275 |
|
are also acceptable. |
276 |
</p> |
</p> |
277 |
|
|
278 |
<p> |
<p> |
279 |
However, rules about how to package a modified version are acceptable, if they |
A special issue arises when a license requires changing the name by |
280 |
don't substantively limit your freedom to release modified versions, or |
which the program will be invoked from other programs. That |
281 |
your freedom to make and use modified versions privately. Rules that “if |
effectively hampers you from releasing your changed version so that it |
282 |
you make your version available in this way, you must make it available in |
can replace the original when invoked by those other programs. This |
283 |
that way also” can be acceptable too, on the same condition. (Note that |
sort of requirement is acceptable only if there's a suitable aliasing |
284 |
such a rule still leaves you the choice of whether to publish your version |
facility that allows you to specify the original program's name as an |
285 |
at all.) Rules that require release of source code to the users for |
alias for the modified version.</p> |
|
versions that you put into public use are also acceptable. It is also |
|
|
acceptable for the license to require that you identify |
|
|
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. |
|
|
</p> |
|
286 |
|
|
287 |
<p> |
<h4>Export regulations</h4> |
|
In the GNU project, we use |
|
|
“<a href="/copyleft/copyleft.html">copyleft</a>” |
|
|
to protect these freedoms legally for everyone. But |
|
|
<a href="/philosophy/categories.html#Non-CopyleftedFreeSoftware">non-copylefted |
|
|
free software</a> also exists. We believe there are important reasons why |
|
|
<a href="/philosophy/pragmatic.html">it is better to use copyleft</a>, |
|
|
but if your program is non-copylefted free software, it is still basically |
|
|
ethical. |
|
|
</p> |
|
|
|
|
|
<p> |
|
|
See <a href="/philosophy/categories.html">Categories of Free Software</a> |
|
|
for a description of how “free software,” “copylefted software” |
|
|
and other categories of software relate to each other. |
|
|
</p> |
|
288 |
|
|
289 |
<p> |
<p> |
290 |
Sometimes government <a id="exportcontrol">export control regulations</a> |
Sometimes government <a id="exportcontrol">export control regulations</a> |
294 |
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 |
295 |
way, the restrictions will not affect activities and people outside the |
way, the restrictions will not affect activities and people outside the |
296 |
jurisdictions of these governments. Thus, free software licenses |
jurisdictions of these governments. Thus, free software licenses |
297 |
must not require obedience to any export regulations as a condition of |
must not require obedience to any nontrivial export regulations as a |
298 |
any of the essential freedoms. |
condition of exercising any of the essential freedoms. |
299 |
|
</p> |
300 |
|
|
301 |
|
<p> |
302 |
|
Merely mentioning the existence of export regulations, without making |
303 |
|
them a condition of the license itself, is acceptable since it does |
304 |
|
not restrict users. If an export regulation is actually trivial for |
305 |
|
free software, then requiring it as a condition is not an actual |
306 |
|
problem; however, it is a potential problem, since a later change in |
307 |
|
export law could make the requirement nontrivial and thus render the |
308 |
|
software nonfree. |
309 |
|
</p> |
310 |
|
|
311 |
|
<h4>Legal considerations</h4> |
312 |
|
|
313 |
|
<p> |
314 |
|
In order for these freedoms to be real, they must be permanent and |
315 |
|
irrevocable as long as you do nothing wrong; if the developer of the |
316 |
|
software has the power to revoke the license, or retroactively add |
317 |
|
restrictions to its terms, without your doing anything wrong to give |
318 |
|
cause, the software is not free. |
319 |
|
</p> |
320 |
|
|
321 |
|
<p> |
322 |
|
A free license may not require compliance with the license of a |
323 |
|
nonfree program. Thus, for instance, if a license requires you to |
324 |
|
comply with the licenses of “all the programs you use”, in |
325 |
|
the case of a user that runs nonfree programs this would require |
326 |
|
compliance with the licenses of those nonfree programs; that makes the |
327 |
|
license nonfree. |
328 |
|
</p> |
329 |
|
|
330 |
|
<p> |
331 |
|
It is acceptable for a free license to specify which jurisdiction's |
332 |
|
law applies, or where litigation must be done, or both. |
333 |
</p> |
</p> |
334 |
|
|
335 |
|
<h4>Contract-based licenses</h4> |
336 |
|
|
337 |
<p> |
<p> |
338 |
Most free software licenses are based on copyright, and there are limits |
Most free software licenses are based on copyright, and there are limits |
339 |
on what kinds of requirements can be imposed through copyright. If a |
on what kinds of requirements can be imposed through copyright. If a |
353 |
it is nonfree. |
it is nonfree. |
354 |
</p> |
</p> |
355 |
|
|
356 |
|
<h4>Use the right words when talking about free software</h4> |
357 |
|
|
358 |
<p> |
<p> |
359 |
When talking about free software, it is best to avoid using terms |
When talking about free software, it is best to avoid using terms |
360 |
like “give away” or “for free,” because those terms imply that |
like “give away” or “for free,” because those terms imply that |
366 |
“free software”</a> into various languages. |
“free software”</a> into various languages. |
367 |
</p> |
</p> |
368 |
|
|
369 |
|
<h4>How we interpret these criteria</h4> |
370 |
|
|
371 |
<p> |
<p> |
372 |
Finally, note that criteria such as those stated in this free software |
Finally, note that criteria such as those stated in this free software |
373 |
definition require careful thought for their interpretation. To decide |
definition require careful thought for their interpretation. To decide |
382 |
it easier to see why certain licenses do or don't qualify. |
it easier to see why certain licenses do or don't qualify. |
383 |
</p> |
</p> |
384 |
|
|
385 |
|
<h4>Get help with free licenses</h4> |
386 |
|
|
387 |
<p> |
<p> |
388 |
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 |
389 |
software license, see our <a href="/licenses/license-list.html">list |
software license, see our <a href="/licenses/license-list.html">list |
406 |
and avoid various practical problems. |
and avoid various practical problems. |
407 |
</p> |
</p> |
408 |
|
|
409 |
<h2 id="beyond-software">Beyond Software</h2> |
<h3 id="beyond-software">Beyond Software</h3> |
410 |
|
|
411 |
<p> |
<p> |
412 |
<a href="/philosophy/free-doc.html">Software manuals must be free</a>, |
<a href="/philosophy/free-doc.html">Software manuals must be free</a>, |
418 |
The same arguments also make sense for other kinds of works of |
The same arguments also make sense for other kinds of works of |
419 |
practical use — that is to say, works that embody useful knowledge, |
practical use — that is to say, works that embody useful knowledge, |
420 |
such as educational works and reference |
such as educational works and reference |
421 |
works. <a href="http://wikipedia.org">Wikipedia</a> is the best known |
works. <a href="http://wikipedia.org">Wikipedia</a> is the best-known |
422 |
example. |
example. |
423 |
</p> |
</p> |
424 |
|
|
428 |
free cultural works</a> applicable to any kind of works. |
free cultural works</a> applicable to any kind of works. |
429 |
</p> |
</p> |
430 |
|
|
431 |
<h2 id="open-source">Open Source?</h2> |
<h3 id="open-source">Open Source?</h3> |
432 |
|
|
433 |
<p> |
<p> |
434 |
Another group has started using the term “open source” to mean |
Another group uses the term “open source” to mean |
435 |
something close (but not identical) to “free software.” We |
something close (but not identical) to “free software”. We |
436 |
prefer the term “free software” because, once you have heard that |
prefer the term “free software” because, once you have heard that |
437 |
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 |
438 |
word “open” <a href="/philosophy/open-source-misses-the-point.html"> |
word “open” <a href="/philosophy/open-source-misses-the-point.html"> |
439 |
never refers to freedom</a>. |
never refers to freedom</a>. |
440 |
</p> |
</p> |
441 |
|
</div> |
442 |
|
|
443 |
<h2 id="History">History</h2> |
<h3 id="History">History</h3> |
444 |
|
|
445 |
<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 |
446 |
clarify it. Here we provide a list of those modifications, along with |
the list of substantive changes, along with links to show exactly what |
447 |
links to illustrate exactly what changed, so that others can review |
was changed.</p> |
|
them if they like.</p> |
|
448 |
|
|
449 |
<ul> |
<ul> |
450 |
|
|
451 |
|
<li><a href="http://web.cvs.savannah.gnu.org/viewvc/www/philosophy/free-sw.html?root=www&r1=1.162&r2=1.163">Version |
452 |
|
1.163</a>: Clarify that the four freedoms apply to any and all users, |
453 |
|
and that requiring users to pay to exercise some of these freedoms is |
454 |
|
a way of denying them.</li> |
455 |
|
|
456 |
|
<li><a href="http://web.cvs.savannah.gnu.org/viewvc/www/philosophy/free-sw.html?root=www&r1=1.152&r2=1.153">Version |
457 |
|
1.153</a>: Clarify that freedom to run the program means nothing stops |
458 |
|
you from making it run.</li> |
459 |
|
|
460 |
|
<li><a href="http://web.cvs.savannah.gnu.org/viewvc/www/philosophy/free-sw.html?root=www&r1=1.140&r2=1.141">Version |
461 |
|
1.141</a>: Clarify which code needs to be free.</li> |
462 |
|
|
463 |
|
<li><a href="http://web.cvs.savannah.gnu.org/viewvc/www/philosophy/free-sw.html?root=www&r1=1.134&r2=1.135">Version |
464 |
|
1.135</a>: Say each time that freedom 0 is the freedom to run the program |
465 |
|
as you wish.</li> |
466 |
|
|
467 |
|
<li><a href="http://web.cvs.savannah.gnu.org/viewvc/www/philosophy/free-sw.html?root=www&r1=1.133&r2=1.134">Version |
468 |
|
1.134</a>: Freedom 0 is not a matter of the program's functionality.</li> |
469 |
|
|
470 |
|
<li><a href="http://web.cvs.savannah.gnu.org/viewvc/www/philosophy/free-sw.html?root=www&r1=1.130&r2=1.131">Version |
471 |
|
1.131</a>: A free license may not require compliance with a nonfree license |
472 |
|
of another program.</li> |
473 |
|
|
474 |
|
<li><a href="http://web.cvs.savannah.gnu.org/viewvc/www/philosophy/free-sw.html?root=www&r1=1.128&r2=1.129">Version |
475 |
|
1.129</a>: State explicitly that choice of law and choice of forum |
476 |
|
specifications are allowed. (This was always our policy.)</li> |
477 |
|
|
478 |
|
<li><a href="http://web.cvs.savannah.gnu.org/viewvc/www/philosophy/free-sw.html?root=www&r1=1.121&r2=1.122">Version |
479 |
|
1.122</a>: An export control requirement is a real problem if the |
480 |
|
requirement is nontrivial; otherwise it is only a potential problem.</li> |
481 |
|
|
482 |
|
<li><a href="http://web.cvs.savannah.gnu.org/viewvc/www/philosophy/free-sw.html?root=www&r1=1.117&r2=1.118">Version |
483 |
|
1.118</a>: Clarification: the issue is limits on your right to modify, |
484 |
|
not on what modifications you have made. And modifications are not limited |
485 |
|
to “improvements”</li> |
486 |
|
|
487 |
|
<li><a href="http://web.cvs.savannah.gnu.org/viewvc/www/philosophy/free-sw.html?root=www&r1=1.110&r2=1.111">Version |
488 |
|
1.111</a>: Clarify 1.77 by saying that only |
489 |
|
retroactive <em>restrictions</em> are unacceptable. The copyright |
490 |
|
holders can always grant additional <em>permission</em> for use of the |
491 |
|
work by releasing the work in another way in parallel.</li> |
492 |
|
|
493 |
|
<li><a href="http://web.cvs.savannah.gnu.org/viewvc/www/philosophy/free-sw.html?root=www&r1=1.104&r2=1.105">Version |
494 |
|
1.105</a>: Reflect, in the brief statement of freedom 1, the point |
495 |
|
(already stated in version 1.80) that it includes really using your modified |
496 |
|
version for your computing.</li> |
497 |
|
|
498 |
<li><a href="http://web.cvs.savannah.gnu.org/viewvc/www/philosophy/free-sw.html?root=www&r1=1.91&r2=1.92">Version |
<li><a href="http://web.cvs.savannah.gnu.org/viewvc/www/philosophy/free-sw.html?root=www&r1=1.91&r2=1.92">Version |
499 |
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> |
500 |
|
|
563 |
|
|
564 |
<li><a href="http://web.cvs.savannah.gnu.org/viewvc/www/philosophy/free-sw.html?root=www&r1=1.10&r2=1.11">Version |
<li><a href="http://web.cvs.savannah.gnu.org/viewvc/www/philosophy/free-sw.html?root=www&r1=1.10&r2=1.11">Version |
565 |
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 |
566 |
versions you distribute to the author.</li> |
versions you distribute to previous developers on request.</li> |
567 |
|
|
568 |
</ul> |
</ul> |
569 |
|
|
570 |
<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 |
571 |
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 |
572 |
Instead, they fix links, add translations, and so on. If you would |
interpretations. For instance, the list does not include changes in |
573 |
like to review the complete list of changes, you can do so on |
asides, formatting, spelling, punctuation, or other parts of the page. |
574 |
our <a href="http://web.cvs.savannah.gnu.org/viewvc/www/philosophy/free-sw.html?root=www&view=log">cvsweb |
You can review the complete list of changes to the page through |
575 |
|
the <a href="http://web.cvs.savannah.gnu.org/viewvc/www/philosophy/free-sw.html?root=www&view=log">cvsweb |
576 |
interface</a>.</p> |
interface</a>.</p> |
577 |
|
|
578 |
</div> |
<h3 style="font-size:1em">Footnote</h3> |
579 |
|
<ol> |
580 |
|
<li id="f1">The reason they are numbered 0, 1, 2 and 3 is historical. Around |
581 |
|
1990 there were three freedoms, numbered 1, 2 and 3. Then we realized that |
582 |
|
the freedom to run the program needed to be mentioned explicitly. |
583 |
|
It was clearly more basic than the other three, so it properly should |
584 |
|
precede them. Rather than renumber the others, we made it freedom 0.</li> |
585 |
|
</ol> |
586 |
|
|
587 |
|
</div><!-- for id="content", starts in the include above --> |
588 |
<!--#include virtual="/server/footer.html" --> |
<!--#include virtual="/server/footer.html" --> |
|
|
|
589 |
<div id="footer"> |
<div id="footer"> |
590 |
|
<div class="unprintable"> |
591 |
|
|
592 |
<p> |
<p>Please send general FSF & GNU inquiries to |
|
Please send FSF & GNU inquiries to |
|
593 |
<a href="mailto:gnu@gnu.org"><gnu@gnu.org></a>. |
<a href="mailto:gnu@gnu.org"><gnu@gnu.org></a>. |
594 |
There are also <a href="/contact/">other ways to contact</a> |
There are also <a href="/contact/">other ways to contact</a> |
595 |
the FSF. |
the FSF. Broken links and other corrections or suggestions can be sent |
596 |
<br /> |
to <a href="mailto:webmasters@gnu.org"><webmasters@gnu.org></a>.</p> |
597 |
Please send broken links and other corrections or suggestions to |
|
598 |
<a href="mailto:webmasters@gnu.org"><webmasters@gnu.org></a>. |
<p><!-- TRANSLATORS: Ignore the original text in this paragraph, |
599 |
</p> |
replace it with the translation of these two: |
600 |
|
|
601 |
|
We work hard and do our best to provide accurate, good quality |
602 |
|
translations. However, we are not exempt from imperfection. |
603 |
|
Please send your comments and general suggestions in this regard |
604 |
|
to <a href="mailto:web-translators@gnu.org"> |
605 |
|
<web-translators@gnu.org></a>.</p> |
606 |
|
|
607 |
|
<p>For information on coordinating and submitting translations of |
608 |
|
our web pages, see <a |
609 |
|
href="/server/standards/README.translations.html">Translations |
610 |
|
README</a>. --> |
611 |
|
Please see the <a |
612 |
|
href="/server/standards/README.translations.html">Translations |
613 |
|
README</a> for information on coordinating and submitting translations |
614 |
|
of this article.</p> |
615 |
|
</div> |
616 |
|
|
617 |
<p> |
<!-- Regarding copyright, in general, standalone pages (as opposed to |
618 |
Please see the |
files generated as part of manuals) on the GNU web server should |
619 |
<a href="/server/standards/README.translations.html">Translations |
be under CC BY-ND 4.0. Please do NOT change or remove this |
620 |
README</a> for information on coordinating and submitting |
without talking with the webmasters or licensing team first. |
621 |
translations of this article. |
Please make sure the copyright date is consistent with the |
622 |
</p> |
document. For web pages, it is ok to list just the latest year the |
623 |
|
document was modified, or published. |
624 |
|
|
625 |
|
If you wish to list earlier years, that is ok too. |
626 |
|
Either "2001, 2002, 2003" or "2001-2003" are ok for specifying |
627 |
|
years, as long as each year in the range is in fact a copyrightable |
628 |
|
year, i.e., a year in which the document was published (including |
629 |
|
being publicly visible on the web or in a revision control system). |
630 |
|
|
631 |
|
There is more detail about copyright years in the GNU Maintainers |
632 |
|
Information document, www.gnu.org/prep/maintain. --> |
633 |
|
|
634 |
|
<p>Copyright © 1996, 2002, 2004-2007, 2009-2018 |
635 |
|
Free Software Foundation, Inc.</p> |
636 |
|
|
637 |
|
<p>This page is licensed under a <a rel="license" |
638 |
|
href="http://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-nd/4.0/">Creative |
639 |
|
Commons Attribution-NoDerivatives 4.0 International License</a>.</p> |
640 |
|
|
641 |
<p> |
<!--#include virtual="/server/bottom-notes.html" --> |
|
Copyright © 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> |
|
642 |
|
|
643 |
<p> |
<p class="unprintable">Updated: |
|
Updated: |
|
644 |
<!-- timestamp start --> |
<!-- timestamp start --> |
645 |
$Date$ |
$Date$ |
646 |
<!-- timestamp end --> |
<!-- timestamp end --> |
647 |
</p> |
</p> |
648 |
</div> |
</div> |
649 |
|
</div><!-- for class="inner", starts in the banner include --> |
|
<div id="translations"> |
|
|
<h4>Translations of this page</h4> |
|
|
|
|
|
<!-- Please keep this list alphabetical, and in the original --> |
|
|
<!-- language if possible, otherwise default to English --> |
|
|
<!-- If you do not have it English, please comment what the --> |
|
|
<!-- English is. If you add a new language here, please --> |
|
|
<!-- advise web-translators@gnu.org and add it to --> |
|
|
<!-- - in /home/www/bin/nightly-vars either TAGSLANG or WEBLANG --> |
|
|
<!-- - in /home/www/html/server/standards/README.translations.html --> |
|
|
<!-- one of the lists under the section "Translations Underway" --> |
|
|
<!-- - if there is a translation team, you also have to add an alias --> |
|
|
<!-- to mail.gnu.org:/com/mailer/aliases --> |
|
|
<!-- Please also check you have the 2 letter language code right versus --> |
|
|
<!-- http://www.w3.org/WAI/ER/IG/ert/iso639.htm --> |
|
|
<ul class="translations-list"> |
|
|
<!-- Afrikaans --> |
|
|
<li><a href="/philosophy/free-sw.af.html">Afrikaans</a> [af]</li> |
|
|
<!-- Arabic --> |
|
|
<li><a href="/philosophy/free-sw.ar.html">العربية</a> [ar]</li> |
|
|
<!-- Azerbaijani --> |
|
|
<li><a href="/philosophy/free-sw.az.html">Azərbaycanca</a> [az]</li> |
|
|
<!-- Bulgarian --> |
|
|
<li><a href="/philosophy/free-sw.bg.html">български</a> [bg]</li> |
|
|
<!-- Bengali --> |
|
|
<li><a href="/philosophy/free-sw.bn.html">বাংলা</a> [bn]</li> |
|
|
<!-- Bosnian --> |
|
|
<li><a href="/philosophy/free-sw.bs.html">bosanski</a> [bs]</li> |
|
|
<!-- Catalan --> |
|
|
<li><a href="/philosophy/free-sw.ca.html">català</a> [ca]</li> |
|
|
<!-- Czech --> |
|
|
<li><a href="/philosophy/free-sw.cs.html">Česky</a> [cs]</li> |
|
|
<!-- Danish --> |
|
|
<li><a href="/philosophy/free-sw.da.html">dansk</a> [da]</li> |
|
|
<!-- German --> |
|
|
<li><a href="/philosophy/free-sw.de.html">Deutsch</a> [de]</li> |
|
|
<!-- Greek --> |
|
|
<li><a href="/philosophy/free-sw.el.html">ελληνικά</a> [el]</li> |
|
|
<!-- English --> |
|
|
<li><a href="/philosophy/free-sw.html">English</a> [en]</li> |
|
|
<!-- Esperanto --> |
|
|
<li><a href="/philosophy/free-sw.eo.html">Esperanto</a> [eo]</li> |
|
|
<!-- Spanish --> |
|
|
<li><a href="/philosophy/free-sw.es.html">español</a> [es]</li> |
|
|
<!-- Farsi (Persian) --> |
|
|
<li><a href="/philosophy/free-sw.fa.html">فارسی</a> [fa]</li> |
|
|
<!-- French --> |
|
|
<li><a href="/philosophy/free-sw.fr.html">français</a> [fr]</li> |
|
|
<!-- Galician --> |
|
|
<li><a href="/philosophy/free-sw.gl.html">galego</a> [gl]</li> |
|
|
<!-- Hebrew --> |
|
|
<li><a href="/philosophy/free-sw.he.html">עברית</a> [he]</li> |
|
|
<!-- Croatian --> |
|
|
<li><a href="/philosophy/free-sw.hr.html">hrvatski</a> [hr]</li> |
|
|
<!-- Hungarian --> |
|
|
<li><a href="/philosophy/free-sw.hu.html">magyar</a> [hu]</li> |
|
|
<!-- Indonesian --> |
|
|
<li><a href="/philosophy/free-sw.id.html">Bahasa Indonesia</a> [id]</li> |
|
|
<!-- Italian --> |
|
|
<li><a href="/philosophy/free-sw.it.html">italiano</a> [it]</li> |
|
|
<!-- Japanese --> |
|
|
<li><a href="/philosophy/free-sw.ja.html">日本語</a> [ja]</li> |
|
|
<!-- Korean --> |
|
|
<li><a href="/philosophy/free-sw.ko.html">한국어</a> [ko]</li> |
|
|
<!-- Norwegian Bokmål --> |
|
|
<li><a href="/philosophy/free-sw.nb.html">norsk (bokmål)</a> [nb]</li> |
|
|
<!-- Dutch --> |
|
|
<li><a href="/philosophy/free-sw.nl.html">Nederlands</a> [nl]</li> |
|
|
<!-- Polish --> |
|
|
<li><a href="/philosophy/free-sw.pl.html">polski</a> [pl]</li> |
|
|
<!-- Brazilian Portuguese --> |
|
|
<li><a href="/philosophy/free-sw.pt-br.html">português do Brasil</a> [pt-br]</li> |
|
|
<!-- Romanian --> |
|
|
<li><a href="/philosophy/free-sw.ro.html">română</a> [ro]</li> |
|
|
<!-- Russian --> |
|
|
<li><a href="/philosophy/free-sw.ru.html">русский</a> [ru]</li> |
|
|
<!-- Slovak --> |
|
|
<li><a href="/philosophy/free-sw.sk.html">slovenčina</a> [sk]</li> |
|
|
<!--- Slovenian --> |
|
|
<li><a href="/philosophy/free-sw.sl.html">slovenščina</a> [sl]</li> |
|
|
<!-- Serbian --> |
|
|
<li><a href="/philosophy/free-sw.sr.html">српски</a> [sr]</li> |
|
|
<!-- Swedish --> |
|
|
<li><a href="/philosophy/free-sw.sv.html">svenska</a> [sv]</li> |
|
|
<!-- Tamil --> |
|
|
<li><a href="/philosophy/free-sw.ta.html">தமிழ்</a> [ta]</li> |
|
|
<!-- Tagalog --> |
|
|
<li><a href="/philosophy/free-sw.tl.html">Tagalog</a> [tl]</li> |
|
|
<!-- Turkish --> |
|
|
<li><a href="/philosophy/free-sw.tr.html">Türkçe</a> [tr]</li> |
|
|
<!-- Chinese (Simplified) --> |
|
|
<li><a href="/philosophy/free-sw.zh-cn.html">简体中文</a> [zh-cn]</li> |
|
|
<!-- Chinese (Traditional) --> |
|
|
<li><a href="/philosophy/free-sw.zh-tw.html">繁體中文</a> [zh-tw]</li> |
|
|
</ul> |
|
|
</div> |
|
|
|
|
|
</div> |
|
|
|
|
650 |
</body> |
</body> |
651 |
</html> |
</html> |