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 <H3>The Free Software Definition</H3>  
   
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2    
3  We maintain this free software definition to show clearly what must be  <title>The Free Software Definition - GNU Project - Free Software Foundation (FSF)</title>
4  true about a particular software program for it to be considered  
5  free software.  <meta http-equiv="Keywords" content="GNU, FSF, Free Software Foundation, Linux, Emacs, GCC, Unix, Free Software, Operating System, GNU Kernel, HURD, GNU HURD, Hurd" />
6    <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." />
7    <link rel="alternate" title="What's New" href="http://www.gnu.org/rss/whatsnew.rss" type="application/rss+xml" />
8    <link rel="alternate" title="New Free Software" href="http://www.gnu.org/rss/quagga.rss" type="application/rss+xml" />
9    
10    <!--#include virtual="/server/banner.html" -->
11    
12  <P>  <h2>The Free Software Definition</h2>
13    
14  ``Free software'' is a matter of liberty, not price.  To understand the  <p>
15  concept, you should think of ``free'' as in ``free speech,'' not as in  We maintain this free software definition to show clearly what must be
16  ``free beer.''  true about a particular software program for it to be considered free
17  <P>  software.  From time to time we revise this definition to clarify it.
18  Free software is a matter of the users' freedom to run, copy,  If you would like to review the changes we've made, please see
19  distribute, study, change and improve the software.  More precisely,  the <a href="#History">History section</a> below for more information.
20  it refers to four kinds of freedom, for the users of the software:  </p>
21  <P>  
22    <p>
23  <UL>  &ldquo;Free software&rdquo; is a matter of liberty, not price.  To understand
24    <LI>The freedom to run the program, for any purpose (freedom 0).  the concept, you should think of &ldquo;free&rdquo; as in &ldquo;free speech,&rdquo;
25    <LI>The freedom to study how the program works, and adapt it to your needs  not as in &ldquo;free beer.&rdquo;
26        (freedom 1).   Access to the source code is a precondition for this.  </p>
27    <LI>The freedom to redistribute copies so you can help your neighbor  
28    <p>
29    Free software is a matter of the users' freedom to run, copy, distribute,
30    study, change and improve the software.  More precisely, it means that the
31    program's users have the four essential freedoms:
32    </p>
33    
34    <ul>
35      <li>The freedom to run the program, for any purpose (freedom 0).</li>
36      <li>The freedom to study how the program works, and change it to make
37          it do what you wish (freedom 1). Access to the source code is a
38          precondition for this.
39      </li>
40      <li>The freedom to redistribute copies so you can help your neighbor
41        (freedom 2).        (freedom 2).
42    <LI>The freedom to improve the program, and release your improvements    </li>
43       to the public, so that the whole community benefits.    <li>The freedom to distribute copies of your modified versions
44        (freedom 3).   Access to the source code is a precondition for this.        to others (freedom 3).  By doing this you can give the whole
45  </UL>        community a chance to benefit from your changes.
46          Access to the source code is a precondition for this.
47  <P>    </li>
48  A program is free software if users have all of these freedoms.  </ul>
49  Thus, you should be free to redistribute copies, either with or  
50  without modifications, either gratis or charging a fee for  <p>
51  distribution, to <A HREF="#exportcontrol">anyone anywhere</A>.  Being  A program is free software if users have all of these freedoms.  Thus,
52  free to do these things means (among other things) that you do not  you should be free to redistribute copies, either with or without
53  have to ask or pay for permission.  modifications, either gratis or charging a fee for distribution, to
54    <a href="#exportcontrol">anyone anywhere</a>.  Being free to do these
55    things means (among other things) that you do not have to ask or pay
56    for permission to do so.
57    </p>
58    
59  <P>  <p>
60  You should also have the freedom to make modifications and use them  You should also have the freedom to make modifications and use them
61  privately in your own work or play, without even mentioning that they  privately in your own work or play, without even mentioning that they
62  exist.  If you do publish your changes, you should not be required to  exist.  If you do publish your changes, you should not be required to
63  notify anyone in particular, or in any particular way.  notify anyone in particular, or in any particular way.
64    </p>
65    
66  <P>  <p>
67  The freedom to use a program means the freedom for any kind of person  The freedom to run the program means the freedom for any kind of person
68  or organization to use it on any kind of computer system, for any kind  or organization to use it on any kind of computer system, for any kind of
69  of overall job, and without being required to communicate subsequently  overall job and purpose, without being required to communicate about it
70  with the developer or any other specific entity.  with the developer or any other specific entity.  In this freedom, it is
71    the <em>user's</em> purpose that matters, not the <em>developer's</em>
72    purpose; you as a user are free to run the program for your purposes,
73    and if you distribute it to someone else, she is then free to run it
74    for her purposes, but you are not entitled to impose your purposes on her.
75    </p>
76    
77  <P>  <p>
78  The freedom to redistribute copies must include binary or executable  The freedom to redistribute copies must include binary or executable
79  forms of the program, as well as source code, for both modified and  forms of the program, as well as source code, for both modified and
80  unmodified versions.  (Distributing programs in runnable form is  unmodified versions.  (Distributing programs in runnable form is necessary
81  necessary for conveniently installable free operating systems.)  It is  for conveniently installable free operating systems.)  It is OK if there
82  ok if there is no way to produce a binary or executable form for a  is no way to produce a binary or executable form for a certain program
83  certain program (since some languages don't support that feature), but  (since some languages don't support that feature), but you must have the
84  you must have the freedom to redistribute such forms should you find  freedom to redistribute such forms should you find or develop a way to
85  or develop a way to make them.  make them.
86    </p>
87  <P>  
88  In order for the freedoms to make changes, and to publish improved  <p>
89  versions, to be meaningful, you must have access to the source code of  In order for freedoms 1 and 3 (the freedom to make changes and the
90  the program.  Therefore, accessibility of source code is a necessary  freedom to publish improved versions) to be meaningful, you must have
91  condition for free software.  access to the source code of the program.  Therefore, accessibility of
92    source code is a necessary condition for free software.  Obfuscated
93  <P>  &ldquo;source code&rdquo; is not real source code and does not count
94  In order for these freedoms to be real, they must be irrevocable as  as source code.
95  long as you do nothing wrong; if the developer of the software has the  </p>
96  power to revoke the license, without your doing anything to give  
97  cause, the software is not free.  <p>
98    Freedom 1 includes the freedom to use your changed version in place of
99    the original.  If the program is delivered in a product designed to
100    run someone else's modified versions but refuse to run yours &mdash;
101    a practice known as &ldquo;tivoization&rdquo; or (through
102    blacklisting) as &ldquo;secure boot&rdquo; &mdash; freedom 1 becomes a
103    theoretical fiction rather than a practical freedom.  This is not
104    sufficient.  In other words, these binaries are not free software
105    even if the source code they are compiled from is free.
106    </p>
107    
108    <p>
109    One important way to modify a program is by merging in available free
110    subroutines and modules.  If the program's license says that you
111    cannot merge in a suitably licensed existing module &mdash; for instance, if it
112    requires you to be the copyright holder of any code you add &mdash; then the
113    license is too restrictive to qualify as free.
114    </p>
115    
116    <p>
117    Freedom 3 includes the freedom to use release your modified versions
118    as free software.  A free license may also permit other ways of
119    releasing them; in other words, it does not have to be
120    a <a href="/copyleft/copyleft.html">copyleft</a> license.  However, a
121    license that requires modified versions to be nonfree does not qualify
122    as a free license.
123    </p>
124    
125    <p>
126    In order for these freedoms to be real, they must be permanent and
127    irrevocable as long as you do nothing wrong; if the developer of the
128    software has the power to revoke the license, or retroactively change
129    its terms, without your doing anything wrong to give cause, the
130    software is not free.
131    </p>
132    
133  <P>  <p>
134  However, certain kinds of rules about the manner of distributing free  However, certain kinds of rules about the manner of distributing free
135  software are acceptable, when they don't conflict with the central  software are acceptable, when they don't conflict with the central
136  freedoms.  For example, copyleft (very simply stated) is the rule that  freedoms.  For example, copyleft (very simply stated) is the rule that
137  when redistributing the program, you cannot add restrictions to deny  when redistributing the program, you cannot add restrictions to deny
138  other people the central freedoms.  This rule does not conflict with  other people the central freedoms.  This rule does not conflict with
139  the central freedoms; rather it protects them.  the central freedoms; rather it protects them.
140    </p>
141    
142  <P>  <p>
143  Thus, you may have paid money to get copies of free software, or you  &ldquo;Free software&rdquo; does not mean &ldquo;noncommercial.&rdquo;  A free
144  may have obtained copies at no charge.  But regardless of how you got  program must be available for commercial use, commercial development,
145  your copies, you always have the freedom to copy and change the  and commercial distribution.  Commercial development of free software
146  software, even to <A HREF="/philosophy/selling.html">sell copies</A>.  is no longer unusual; such free commercial software is very important.
147  <P>  You may have paid money to get copies of free software, or you may have
148    obtained copies at no charge.  But regardless of how you got your copies,
149  ``Free software'' does not mean ``non-commercial''.  A free program  you always have the freedom to copy and change the software, even to
150  must be available for commercial use, commercial development, and  <a href="/philosophy/selling.html">sell copies</a>.
151  commercial distribution.  Commercial development of free software is  </p>
152  no longer unusual; such free commercial software is very important.  
153    <p>
154  <P>  Whether a change constitutes an improvement is a subjective matter.
155  Rules about how to package a modified version are acceptable, if they  If your modifications are limited, in substance, to changes that
156  don't effectively block your freedom to release modified versions.  someone else considers an improvement, that is not freedom.
157  Rules that ``if you make the program available in this way, you must  </p>
158  make it available in that way also'' can be acceptable too, on the  
159  same condition.  (Note that such a rule still leaves you the choice of  <p>
160  whether to publish the program or not.)  It is also acceptable for the  However, rules about how to package a modified version are acceptable, if they
161  license to require that, if you have distributed a modified version  don't substantively limit your freedom to release modified versions, or
162  and a previous developer asks for a copy of it, you must send one.  your freedom to make and use modified versions privately.  Rules that &ldquo;if
163    you make your version available in this way, you must make it available in
164  <P>  that way also&rdquo; can be acceptable too, on the same condition.  (Note that
165  In the GNU project, we use <A HREF="/copyleft/copyleft.html">  such a rule still leaves you the choice of whether to publish your version
166  ``copyleft''</A> to protect these freedoms legally for everyone.  But  at all.)  Rules that require release of source code to the users for
167  <A HREF="/philosophy/categories.html#Non-CopyleftedFreeSoftware">  versions that you put into public use are also acceptable.  It is also
168  non-copylefted free software</A> also exists.  We believe there are  acceptable for the license to require that you identify
169  important reasons why <A HREF="/philosophy/pragmatic.html"> it is  your modifications as yours, or that, if you have distributed a modified
170  better to use copyleft</A>, but if your program is non-copylefted free  version and a previous developer asks for a copy of it, you must send
171  software, we can still use it.  one.
172    </p>
173  <P>  
174  See <A HREF="/philosophy/categories.html">Categories of Free Software  <p>
175         (18k characters)</A>  In the GNU project, we use
176  for a description of how ``free software,'' ``copylefted software'' and  &ldquo;<a href="/copyleft/copyleft.html">copyleft</a>&rdquo;
177  other categories of software relate to each other.  to protect these freedoms legally for everyone.  But
178    <a href="/philosophy/categories.html#Non-CopyleftedFreeSoftware">non-copylefted
179  <P>  free software</a> also exists.  We believe there are important reasons why
180  Sometimes government <A NAME="exportcontrol">export control  <a href="/philosophy/pragmatic.html">it is better to use copyleft</a>,
181  regulations</A> and trade sanctions can constrain your freedom to  but if your program is non-copylefted free software, it is still basically
182  distribute copies of programs internationally.  Software developers do  ethical.
183  not have the power to eliminate or override these restrictions, but  </p>
184  what they can and must do is refuse to impose them as conditions of  
185  use of the program.  In this way, the restrictions will not affect  <p>
186  activities and people outside the jurisdictions of these governments.  See <a href="/philosophy/categories.html">Categories of Free Software</a>
187    for a description of how &ldquo;free software,&rdquo; &ldquo;copylefted software&rdquo;
188  <P>  and other categories of software relate to each other.
189  When talking about free software, it is best to avoid using terms like  </p>
190  ``give away'' or ``for free'', because those terms imply that the  
191  issue is about price, not freedom.  Some common terms such as  <p>
192  ``piracy'' embody opinions we hope you won't endorse.  See <A  Sometimes government <a id="exportcontrol">export control regulations</a>
193  HREF="/philosophy/words-to-avoid.html">Confusing Words and Phrases  and trade sanctions can constrain your freedom to distribute copies of
194  that are Worth Avoiding</A> for a discussion of these terms.  programs internationally.  Software developers do not have the power to
195  We also have a list of <A HREF="/philosophy/fs-translations.html">translations  eliminate or override these restrictions, but what they can and must do
196  of "free software"</A> into various languages.  is refuse to impose them as conditions of use of the program.  In this
197    way, the restrictions will not affect activities and people outside the
198  <P>  jurisdictions of these governments.  Thus, free software licenses
199    must not require obedience to any export regulations as a condition of
200    any of the essential freedoms.
201    </p>
202    
203    <p>
204    Most free software licenses are based on copyright, and there are limits
205    on what kinds of requirements can be imposed through copyright.  If a
206    copyright-based license respects freedom in the ways described above, it
207    is unlikely to have some other sort of problem that we never anticipated
208    (though this does happen occasionally).  However, some free software
209    licenses are based on contracts, and contracts can impose a much larger
210    range of possible restrictions.  That means there are many possible ways
211    such a license could be unacceptably restrictive and nonfree.
212    </p>
213    
214    <p>
215    We can't possibly list all the ways that might happen.  If a
216    contract-based license restricts the user in an unusual way that
217    copyright-based licenses cannot, and which isn't mentioned here as
218    legitimate, we will have to think about it, and we will probably conclude
219    it is nonfree.
220    </p>
221    
222    <p>
223    When talking about free software, it is best to avoid using terms
224    like &ldquo;give away&rdquo; or &ldquo;for free,&rdquo; because those terms imply that
225    the issue is about price, not freedom.  Some common terms such
226    as &ldquo;piracy&rdquo; embody opinions we hope you won't endorse.  See
227    <a href="/philosophy/words-to-avoid.html">Confusing Words and Phrases that
228    are Worth Avoiding</a> for a discussion of these terms.  We also have
229    a list of proper <a href="/philosophy/fs-translations.html">translations of
230    &ldquo;free software&rdquo;</a> into various languages.
231    </p>
232    
233    <p>
234  Finally, note that criteria such as those stated in this free software  Finally, note that criteria such as those stated in this free software
235  definition require careful thought for their interpretation.  To  definition require careful thought for their interpretation.  To decide
236  decide whether a specific software license qualifies as a free  whether a specific software license qualifies as a free software license,
237  software license, we judge it based on these criteria to determine  we judge it based on these criteria to determine whether it fits their
238  whether it fits their spirit as well as the precise words.  If a  spirit as well as the precise words.  If a license includes unconscionable
239  license includes unconscionable restrictions, we reject it, even if we  restrictions, we reject it, even if we did not anticipate the issue
240  did not anticipate the issue in these criteria.  Sometimes a license  in these criteria.  Sometimes a license requirement raises an issue
241  requirement raises an issue that calls for extensive thought,  that calls for extensive thought, including discussions with a lawyer,
242  including discussions with a lawyer, before we can decide if the  before we can decide if the requirement is acceptable.  When we reach
243  requirement is acceptable.  When we reach a conclusion about a new  a conclusion about a new issue, we often update these criteria to make
244  issue, we often update these criteria to make it easier to see why  it easier to see why certain licenses do or don't qualify.
245  certain licenses do or don't qualify.  </p>
246    
247  <P>  <p>
248    If you are interested in whether a specific license qualifies as a free
249  If you are interested in whether a specific license qualifies as a  software license, see our <a href="/licenses/license-list.html">list
250  free software license, see our <A  of licenses</a>.  If the license you are concerned with is not
251  HREF="/licenses/license-list.html">list of licenses</A>.  If the  listed there, you can ask us about it by sending us email at
252  license you are concerned with is not listed there, you can ask us  <a href="mailto:licensing@gnu.org">&lt;licensing@gnu.org&gt;</a>.
253  about it by sending us email at <A  </p>
254  HREF="mailto:licensing@gnu.org">&lt;licensing@gnu.org&gt;</A>.  
255    <p>
256  <HR>  If you are contemplating writing a new license, please contact the
257    Free Software Foundation first by writing to that address. The
258  <H4><A HREF="/philosophy/philosophy.html">Other Texts to Read</A></H4>  proliferation of different free software licenses means increased work
259    for users in understanding the licenses; we may be able to help you
260  <P>  find an existing free software license that meets your needs.
261  Another group has started using the term "open source" to mean  </p>
262  something close (but not identical) to "free software".  We prefer the  
263  term "free software" because, once you have heard it refers to freedom  <p>
264  rather than price, <A HREF="free-software-for-freedom.html">it calls  If that isn't possible, if you really need a new license, with our
265  to mind freedom</A>.  help you can ensure that the license really is a free software license
266    and avoid various practical problems.
267  <HR>  </p>
268  [  
269  <!-- Please keep this list alphabetical -->  <h2 id="beyond-software">Beyond Software</h2>
270  <!-- PLEASE UPDATE THE LIST AT THE BOTTOM (OR TOP) OF THE PAGE TOO! -->  
271  <A HREF="/philosophy/free-sw.hr.html">Croatian</A>  <p>
272  | <A HREF="/philosophy/free-sw.cs.html">Czech</A>  <a href="/philosophy/free-doc.html">Software manuals must be free</a>,
273  | <A HREF="/philosophy/free-sw.da.html">Danish</A>  for the same reasons that software must be free, and because the
274  | <A HREF="/philosophy/free-sw.nl.html">Dutch</A>  manuals are in effect part of the software.
275  | <A HREF="/philosophy/free-sw.html">English</A>  </p>
276  | <A HREF="/philosophy/free-sw.fr.html">French</A>  
277  | <A HREF="/philosophy/free-sw.gl.html">Galician</A>  <p>
278  | <A HREF="/philosophy/free-sw.de.html">German</A>  The same arguments also make sense for other kinds of works of
279  | <A HREF="/philosophy/free-sw.hu.html">Hungarian</A>  practical use &mdash; that is to say, works that embody useful knowledge,
280  | <A HREF="/philosophy/free-sw.id.html">Indonesian</A>  such as educational works and reference
281  | <A HREF="/philosophy/free-sw.it.html">Italian</A>  works.  <a href="http://wikipedia.org">Wikipedia</a> is the best known
282  | <A HREF="/philosophy/free-sw.ja.html">Japanese</A>  example.
283  | <A HREF="/philosophy/free-sw.ko.html">Korean</A>  </p>
284  | <A HREF="/philosophy/free-sw.no.html">Norwegian</A>  
285  | <A HREF="/philosophy/free-sw.pl.html">Polish</A>  <p>
286  | <A HREF="/philosophy/free-sw.pt.html">Portuguese</A>  Any kind of work <em>can</em> be free, and the definition of free software
287  | <A HREF="/philosophy/free-sw.ru.html">Russian</A>  has been extended to a definition of <a href="http://freedomdefined.org/">
288  | <A HREF="/philosophy/free-sw.sl.html">Slovenian</A>        free cultural works</a> applicable to any kind of works.
289  | <A HREF="/philosophy/free-sw.es.html">Spanish</A>  </p>
290  | <A HREF="/philosophy/free-sw.tr.html">Turkish</A>  
291  <!-- Please keep this list alphabetical -->  <h2 id="open-source">Open Source?</h2>
292  <!-- PLEASE UPDATE THE LIST AT THE BOTTOM (OR TOP) OF THE PAGE TOO! -->  
293  ]  <p>
294  <P>  Another group has started using the term &ldquo;open source&rdquo; to mean
295  Return to <A HREF="/home.html">GNU's home page</A>.  something close (but not identical) to &ldquo;free software.&rdquo;  We
296  <P>  prefer the term &ldquo;free software&rdquo; because, once you have heard that
297    it refers to freedom rather than price, it calls to mind freedom.  The
298  Please send FSF &amp; GNU inquiries &amp; questions to  word &ldquo;open&rdquo; <a href="/philosophy/open-source-misses-the-point.html">
299    never refers to freedom</a>.
300  <A HREF="mailto:gnu@gnu.org"><EM>gnu@gnu.org</EM></A>.  </p>
301  There are also <A HREF="/home.html#ContactInfo">other ways to  
302  contact</A> the FSF.  <h2 id="History">History</h2>
303  <P>  
304    <p>From time to time we revise this Free Software Definition to
305  Please send comments on these web pages to  clarify it.  Here we provide a list of those modifications, along with
306    links to illustrate exactly what changed, so that others can review
307  <A HREF="mailto:webmasters@gnu.org"><EM>webmasters@gnu.org</EM></A>,  them if they like.</p>
308  send other questions to  
309  <A HREF="mailto:gnu@gnu.org"><EM>gnu@gnu.org</EM></A>.  <ul>
310  <P>  
311  Copyright (C) 1996, 1997, 1998, 1999, 2000, 2001 Free Software Foundation, Inc.,  <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
312  59 Temple Place - Suite 330, Boston, MA  02111,  USA  1.92</a>: Clarify that obfuscated code does not qualify as source code.</li>
313  <P>  
314  Verbatim copying and distribution of this entire article is  <li><a href="http://web.cvs.savannah.gnu.org/viewvc/www/philosophy/free-sw.html?root=www&amp;r1=1.89&amp;r2=1.90">Version
315  permitted in any medium, provided this notice is preserved.  1.90</a>: Clarify that freedom 3 means the right to distribute copies
316  <P>  of your own modified or improved version, not a right to participate
317    in someone else's development project.</li>
318    
319    <li><a href="http://web.cvs.savannah.gnu.org/viewvc/www/philosophy/free-sw.html?root=www&amp;r1=1.88&amp;r2=1.89">Version
320    1.89</a>: Freedom 3 includes the right to release modified versions as
321    free software.</li>
322    
323    <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
324    1.80</a>: Freedom 1 must be practical, not just theoretical;
325    i.e., no tivoization.</li>
326    
327    <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
328    1.77</a>: Clarify that all retroactive changes to the license are
329    unacceptable, even if it's not described as a complete
330    replacement.</li>
331    
332    <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
333    1.74</a>: Four clarifications of points not explicit enough, or stated
334    in some places but not reflected everywhere:
335    <ul>
336    <li>"Improvements" does not mean the license can
337    substantively limit what kinds of modified versions you can release.
338    Freedom 3 includes distributing modified versions, not just changes.</li>
339    <li>The right to merge in existing modules
340    refers to those that are suitably licensed.</li>
341    <li>Explicitly state the conclusion of the point about export controls.</li>
342    <li>Imposing a license change constitutes revoking the old license.</li>
343    </ul>
344    </li>
345    
346    <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
347    1.57</a>: Add &quot;Beyond Software&quot; section.</li>
348    
349    <li><a href="http://web.cvs.savannah.gnu.org/viewvc/www/philosophy/free-sw.html?root=www&amp;r1=1.45&amp;r2=1.46">Version
350    1.46</a>: Clarify whose purpose is significant in the freedom to run
351    the program for any purpose.</li>
352    
353    <li><a href="http://web.cvs.savannah.gnu.org/viewvc/www/philosophy/free-sw.html?root=www&amp;r1=1.40&amp;r2=1.41">Version
354    1.41</a>: Clarify wording about contract-based licenses.</li>
355    
356    <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
357    1.40</a>: Explain that a free license must allow to you use other
358    available free software to create your modifications.</li>
359    
360    <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
361    1.39</a>: Note that it is acceptable for a license to require you to
362    provide source for versions of the software you put into public
363    use.</li>
364    
365    <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
366    1.31</a>: Note that it is acceptable for a license to require you to
367    identify yourself as the author of modifications.  Other minor
368    clarifications throughout the text.</li>
369    
370    <li><a href="http://web.cvs.savannah.gnu.org/viewvc/www/philosophy/free-sw.html?root=www&amp;r1=1.22&amp;r2=1.23">Version
371    1.23</a>: Address potential problems related to contract-based
372    licenses.</li>
373    
374    <li><a href="http://web.cvs.savannah.gnu.org/viewvc/www/philosophy/free-sw.html?root=www&amp;r1=1.15&amp;r2=1.16">Version
375    1.16</a>: Explain why distribution of binaries is important.</li>
376    
377    <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
378    1.11</a>: Note that a free license may require you to send a copy of
379    versions you distribute to the author.</li>
380    
381    </ul>
382    
383    <p>There are gaps in the version numbers because there are many other
384    changes that do not affect the substance of the definition at all.
385    Instead, they fix links, add translations, and so on.  If you would
386    like to review the complete list of changes, you can do so on
387    our <a href="http://web.cvs.savannah.gnu.org/viewvc/www/philosophy/free-sw.html?root=www&amp;view=log">cvsweb
388    interface</a>.</p>
389    
390    </div>
391    
392    <!--#include virtual="/server/footer.html" -->
393    
394    <div id="footer">
395    
396    <p>
397    Please send FSF &amp; GNU inquiries to
398    <a href="mailto:gnu@gnu.org">&lt;gnu@gnu.org&gt;</a>.
399    There are also <a href="/contact/">other ways to contact</a>
400    the FSF.
401    <br />
402    Please send broken links and other corrections or suggestions to
403    <a href="mailto:webmasters@gnu.org">&lt;webmasters@gnu.org&gt;</a>.
404    </p>
405    
406    <p>
407    Please see the
408    <a href="/server/standards/README.translations.html">Translations
409    README</a> for information on coordinating and submitting
410    translations of this article.
411    </p>
412    
413    <p>
414    Copyright &copy; 1996, 1997, 1998, 1999, 2000, 2001, 2002, 2003, 2004,
415    2005, 2006, 2007, 2009 Free Software Foundation, Inc.
416    </p>
417    <p>Verbatim copying and distribution of this entire article is
418    permitted in any medium without royalty provided this notice is
419    preserved.
420    </p>
421    
422    <p>
423  Updated:  Updated:
424  <!-- timestamp start -->  <!-- timestamp start -->
425  $Date$ $Author$  $Date$
426  <!-- timestamp end -->  <!-- timestamp end -->
427  <HR>  </p>
428  </BODY>  </div>
429  </HTML>  
430    <div id="translations">
431    <h4>Translations of this page</h4>
432    
433    <!-- Please keep this list alphabetical, and in the original -->
434    <!-- language if possible, otherwise default to English -->
435    <!-- If you do not have it English, please comment what the -->
436    <!-- English is.  If you add a new language here, please -->
437    <!-- advise web-translators@gnu.org and add it to -->
438    <!--    - in /home/www/bin/nightly-vars either TAGSLANG or WEBLANG -->
439    <!--    - in /home/www/html/server/standards/README.translations.html -->
440    <!--      one of the lists under the section "Translations Underway" -->
441    <!--    - if there is a translation team, you also have to add an alias -->
442    <!--      to mail.gnu.org:/com/mailer/aliases -->
443    <!-- Please also check you have the 2 letter language code right versus -->
444    <!--     http://www.w3.org/WAI/ER/IG/ert/iso639.htm -->
445    <ul class="translations-list">
446    <!-- Afrikaans -->
447    <li><a href="/philosophy/free-sw.af.html">Afrikaans</a>&nbsp;[af]</li>
448    <!-- Arabic -->
449    <li><a href="/philosophy/free-sw.ar.html">&#1575;&#1604;&#1593;&#1585;&#1576;&#1610;&#1577;</a>&nbsp;[ar]</li>
450    <!-- Azerbaijani -->
451    <li><a href="/philosophy/free-sw.az.html">Az&#x0259;rbaycanca</a>&nbsp;[az]</li>
452    <!-- Bulgarian -->
453    <li><a href="/philosophy/free-sw.bg.html">&#x431;&#x44A;&#x43B;&#x433;&#x430;&#x440;&#x441;&#x43A;&#x438;</a>&nbsp;[bg]</li>
454    <!-- Bengali -->
455    <li><a href="/philosophy/free-sw.bn.html">&#2476;&#2494;&#2434;&#2482;&#2494;</a>&nbsp;[bn]</li>
456    <!-- Bosnian -->
457    <li><a href="/philosophy/free-sw.bs.html">bosanski</a>&nbsp;[bs]</li>
458    <!-- Catalan -->
459    <li><a href="/philosophy/free-sw.ca.html">catal&#x00e0;</a>&nbsp;[ca]</li>
460    <!-- Czech -->
461    <li><a href="/philosophy/free-sw.cs.html">&#x010c;esky</a>&nbsp;[cs]</li>
462    <!-- Danish -->
463    <li><a href="/philosophy/free-sw.da.html">dansk</a>&nbsp;[da]</li>
464    <!-- German -->
465    <li><a href="/philosophy/free-sw.de.html">Deutsch</a>&nbsp;[de]</li>
466    <!-- Greek -->
467    <li><a href="/philosophy/free-sw.el.html">&#x03b5;&#x03bb;&#x03bb;&#x03b7;&#x03bd;&#x03b9;&#x03ba;&#x03ac;</a>&nbsp;[el]</li>
468    <!-- English -->
469    <li><a href="/philosophy/free-sw.html">English</a>&nbsp;[en]</li>
470    <!-- Esperanto -->
471    <li><a href="/philosophy/free-sw.eo.html">Esperanto</a>&nbsp;[eo]</li>
472    <!-- Spanish -->
473    <li><a href="/philosophy/free-sw.es.html">espa&#x00f1;ol</a>&nbsp;[es]</li>
474    <!-- Farsi (Persian) -->
475    <li><a href="/philosophy/free-sw.fa.html">&#x0641;&#x0627;&#x0631;&#x0633;&#x06cc;</a>&nbsp;[fa]</li>
476    <!-- French -->
477    <li><a href="/philosophy/free-sw.fr.html">fran&#x00e7;ais</a>&nbsp;[fr]</li>
478    <!-- Galician -->
479    <li><a href="/philosophy/free-sw.gl.html">galego</a>&nbsp;[gl]</li>
480    <!-- Hebrew -->
481    <li><a href="/philosophy/free-sw.he.html">&#x05e2;&#x05d1;&#x05e8;&#x05d9;&#x05ea;</a>&nbsp;[he]</li>
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483    <li><a href="/philosophy/free-sw.hr.html">hrvatski</a>&nbsp;[hr]</li>
484    <!-- Hungarian -->
485    <li><a href="/philosophy/free-sw.hu.html">magyar</a>&nbsp;[hu]</li>
486    <!-- Indonesian -->
487    <li><a href="/philosophy/free-sw.id.html">Bahasa Indonesia</a>&nbsp;[id]</li>
488    <!-- Italian -->
489    <li><a href="/philosophy/free-sw.it.html">italiano</a>&nbsp;[it]</li>
490    <!-- Japanese -->
491    <li><a href="/philosophy/free-sw.ja.html">&#x65e5;&#x672c;&#x8a9e;</a>&nbsp;[ja]</li>
492    <!-- Korean -->
493    <li><a href="/philosophy/free-sw.ko.html">&#xd55c;&#xad6d;&#xc5b4;</a>&nbsp;[ko]</li>
494    <!-- Norwegian Bokmål -->
495    <li><a href="/philosophy/free-sw.nb.html">norsk (bokm&aring;l)</a>&nbsp;[nb]</li>
496    <!-- Dutch -->
497    <li><a href="/philosophy/free-sw.nl.html">Nederlands</a>&nbsp;[nl]</li>
498    <!-- Polish -->
499    <li><a href="/philosophy/free-sw.pl.html">polski</a>&nbsp;[pl]</li>
500    <!-- Brazilian Portuguese -->
501    <li><a href="/philosophy/free-sw.pt-br.html">portugu&#x0ea;s do Brasil</a>&nbsp;[pt-br]</li>
502    <!-- Romanian -->
503    <li><a href="/philosophy/free-sw.ro.html">rom&#x00e2;n&#x0103;</a>&nbsp;[ro]</li>
504    <!-- Russian -->
505    <li><a href="/philosophy/free-sw.ru.html">&#x0440;&#x0443;&#x0441;&#x0441;&#x043a;&#x0438;&#x0439;</a>&nbsp;[ru]</li>
506    <!-- Slovak -->
507    <li><a href="/philosophy/free-sw.sk.html">sloven&#269;ina</a>&nbsp;[sk]</li>
508    <!--- Slovenian -->
509    <li><a href="/philosophy/free-sw.sl.html">sloven&scaron;&#269;ina</a>&nbsp;[sl]</li>
510    <!-- Serbian -->
511    <li><a href="/philosophy/free-sw.sr.html">&#x0441;&#x0440;&#x043f;&#x0441;&#x043a;&#x0438;</a>&nbsp;[sr]</li>
512    <!-- Swedish -->
513    <li><a href="/philosophy/free-sw.sv.html">svenska</a>&nbsp;[sv]</li>
514    <!-- Tamil -->
515    <li><a href="/philosophy/free-sw.ta.html">&#2980;&#2990;&#3007;&#2996;&#3021;</a>&nbsp;[ta]</li>
516    <!-- Tagalog -->
517    <li><a href="/philosophy/free-sw.tl.html">Tagalog</a>&nbsp;[tl]</li>
518    <!-- Turkish -->
519    <li><a href="/philosophy/free-sw.tr.html">T&#x00fc;rk&#x00e7;e</a>&nbsp;[tr]</li>
520    <!-- Chinese (Simplified) -->
521    <li><a href="/philosophy/free-sw.zh-cn.html">&#x7b80;&#x4f53;&#x4e2d;&#x6587;</a>&nbsp;[zh-cn]</li>
522    <!-- Chinese (Traditional) -->
523    <li><a href="/philosophy/free-sw.zh-tw.html">&#x7e41;&#x9ad4;&#x4e2d;&#x6587;</a>&nbsp;[zh-tw]</li>
524    </ul>
525    </div>
526    
527    </div>
528    
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530    </html>
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