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revision 1.84 by rms, Thu Aug 20 03:38:20 2009 UTC revision 1.92 by rms, Tue Mar 30 05:22:50 2010 UTC
# Line 20  the <a href="#History">History section</ Line 20  the <a href="#History">History section</
20  </p>  </p>
21    
22  <p>  <p>
23  <q>Free software</q> is a matter of liberty, not price.  To understand  &ldquo;Free software&rdquo; is a matter of liberty, not price.  To understand
24  the concept, you should think of <q>free</q> as in <q>free speech,</q>  the concept, you should think of &ldquo;free&rdquo; as in &ldquo;free speech,&rdquo;
25  not as in <q>free beer.</q>  not as in &ldquo;free beer.&rdquo;
26  </p>  </p>
27    
28  <p>  <p>
# Line 40  program's users have the four essential Line 40  program's users have the four essential
40    <li>The freedom to redistribute copies so you can help your neighbor    <li>The freedom to redistribute copies so you can help your neighbor
41        (freedom 2).        (freedom 2).
42    </li>    </li>
43    <li>The freedom to improve the program, and release your improvements    <li>The freedom to distribute copies of your modified versions
44        (and modified versions in general)        to others (freedom 3).  By doing this you can give the whole
45        to the public, so that the whole community benefits (freedom 3).        community a chance to benefit from your changes.
46        Access to the source code is a precondition for this.        Access to the source code is a precondition for this.
47    </li>    </li>
48  </ul>  </ul>
# Line 53  you should be free to redistribute copie Line 53  you should be free to redistribute copie
53  modifications, either gratis or charging a fee for distribution, to  modifications, either gratis or charging a fee for distribution, to
54  <a href="#exportcontrol">anyone anywhere</a>.  Being free to do these  <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  things means (among other things) that you do not have to ask or pay
56  for permission.  for permission to do so.
57  </p>  </p>
58    
59  <p>  <p>
# Line 69  or organization to use it on any kind of Line 69  or organization to use it on any kind of
69  overall job and purpose, without being required to communicate about it  overall job and purpose, without being required to communicate about it
70  with the developer or any other specific entity.  In this freedom, it is  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>  the <em>user's</em> purpose that matters, not the <em>developer's</em>
72  purpose; you as a user are free to run a program for your purposes,  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  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.  for her purposes, but you are not entitled to impose your purposes on her.
75  </p>  </p>
# Line 78  for her purposes, but you are not entitl Line 78  for her purposes, but you are not entitl
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 necessary  unmodified versions.  (Distributing programs in runnable form is necessary
81  for conveniently installable free operating systems.)  It is ok if there  for conveniently installable free operating systems.)  It is OK if there
82  is no way to produce a binary or executable form for a certain program  is no way to produce a binary or executable form for a certain program
83  (since some languages don't support that feature), but you must have the  (since some languages don't support that feature), but you must have the
84  freedom to redistribute such forms should you find or develop a way to  freedom to redistribute such forms should you find or develop a way to
# Line 86  make them. Line 86  make them.
86  </p>  </p>
87    
88  <p>  <p>
89  In order for the freedoms to make changes, and to publish improved  In order for freedoms 1 and 3 (the freedom to make changes and the
90  versions, to be meaningful, you must have access to the source code of  freedom to publish improved versions) to be meaningful, you must have
91  the program.  Therefore, accessibility of source code is a necessary  access to the source code of the program.  Therefore, accessibility of
92  condition for free software.  source code is a necessary condition for free software.  Obfuscated
93    &ldquo;source code&rdquo; is not real source code and does not count
94    as source code.
95  </p>  </p>
96    
97  <p>  <p>
# Line 97  Freedom 1 includes the freedom to use yo Line 99  Freedom 1 includes the freedom to use yo
99  the original.  If the program is delivered in a product designed to  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;  run someone else's modified versions but refuse to run yours &mdash;
101  a practice known as &ldquo;tivoization&rdquo; or (through  a practice known as &ldquo;tivoization&rdquo; or (through
102  blacklisting) as &ldquo;secure boot&rdquo; &mdash; freedom 1 become a  blacklisting) as &ldquo;secure boot&rdquo; &mdash; freedom 1 becomes a
103  theoretical fiction rather than a practical freedom.  This is not  theoretical fiction rather than a practical freedom.  This is not
104  sufficient.  sufficient.  In other words, these binaries are not free software
105    even if the source code they are compiled from is free.
106  </p>  </p>
107    
108  <p>  <p>
109  One important way to modify a program is by merging in available free  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  subroutines and modules.  If the program's license says that you
111  cannot merge in a suitably-licensed existing module, such as if it  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, then the  requires you to be the copyright holder of any code you add &mdash; then the
113  license is too restrictive to qualify as free.  license is too restrictive to qualify as free.
114  </p>  </p>
115    
116  <p>  <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  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  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  software has the power to revoke the license, or retroactively change
# Line 128  the central freedoms; rather it protects Line 140  the central freedoms; rather it protects
140  </p>  </p>
141    
142  <p>  <p>
143  <q>Free software</q> does not mean <q>non-commercial.</q>  A free  &ldquo;Free software&rdquo; does not mean &ldquo;noncommercial.&rdquo;  A free
144  program must be available for commercial use, commercial development,  program must be available for commercial use, commercial development,
145  and commercial distribution.  Commercial development of free software  and commercial distribution.  Commercial development of free software
146  is no longer unusual; such free commercial software is very important.  is no longer unusual; such free commercial software is very important.
# Line 147  someone else considers an improvement, t Line 159  someone else considers an improvement, t
159  <p>  <p>
160  However, rules about how to package a modified version are acceptable, if they  However, rules about how to package a modified version are acceptable, if they
161  don't substantively limit your freedom to release modified versions, or  don't substantively limit your freedom to release modified versions, or
162  your freedom to make and use modified versions privately.  Rules that <q>if  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  you make your version available in this way, you must make it available in
164  that way also</q> can be acceptable too, on the same condition.  (Note that  that way also&rdquo; can be acceptable too, on the same condition.  (Note that
165  such a rule still leaves you the choice of whether to publish your version  such a rule still leaves you the choice of whether to publish your version
166  at all.)  Rules that require release of source code to the users for  at all.)  Rules that require release of source code to the users for
167  versions that you put into public use are also acceptable.  It is also  versions that you put into public use are also acceptable.  It is also
168  acceptable for the license to require that, if you have distributed a  acceptable for the license to require that you identify
169  modified version and a previous developer asks for a copy of it, you  your modifications as yours, or that, if you have distributed a modified
170  must send one, or that you identify yourself on your modifications.  version and a previous developer asks for a copy of it, you must send
171    one.
172  </p>  </p>
173    
174  <p>  <p>
175  In the GNU project, we use  In the GNU project, we use
176  <q><a href="/copyleft/copyleft.html">copyleft</a></q>  &ldquo;<a href="/copyleft/copyleft.html">copyleft</a>&rdquo;
177  to protect these freedoms legally for everyone.  But  to protect these freedoms legally for everyone.  But
178  <a href="/philosophy/categories.html#Non-CopyleftedFreeSoftware">non-copylefted  <a href="/philosophy/categories.html#Non-CopyleftedFreeSoftware">non-copylefted
179  free software</a> also exists.  We believe there are important reasons why  free software</a> also exists.  We believe there are important reasons why
180  <a href="/philosophy/pragmatic.html"> it is better to use copyleft</a>,  <a href="/philosophy/pragmatic.html">it is better to use copyleft</a>,
181  but if your program is non-copylefted free software, it is still basically  but if your program is non-copylefted free software, it is still basically
182  ethical.  ethical.
183  </p>  </p>
184    
185  <p>  <p>
186  See <a href="/philosophy/categories.html">Categories of Free Software</a>  See <a href="/philosophy/categories.html">Categories of Free Software</a>
187  for a description of how <q>free software,</q> <q>copylefted software</q>  for a description of how &ldquo;free software,&rdquo; &ldquo;copylefted software&rdquo;
188  and other categories of software relate to each other.  and other categories of software relate to each other.
189  </p>  </p>
190    
# Line 195  is unlikely to have some other sort of p Line 208  is unlikely to have some other sort of p
208  (though this does happen occasionally).  However, some free software  (though this does happen occasionally).  However, some free software
209  licenses are based on contracts, and contracts can impose a much larger  licenses are based on contracts, and contracts can impose a much larger
210  range of possible restrictions.  That means there are many possible ways  range of possible restrictions.  That means there are many possible ways
211  such a license could be unacceptably restrictive and non-free.  such a license could be unacceptably restrictive and nonfree.
212  </p>  </p>
213    
214  <p>  <p>
# Line 203  We can't possibly list all the ways that Line 216  We can't possibly list all the ways that
216  contract-based license restricts the user in an unusual way that  contract-based license restricts the user in an unusual way that
217  copyright-based licenses cannot, and which isn't mentioned here as  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  legitimate, we will have to think about it, and we will probably conclude
219  it is non-free.  it is nonfree.
220  </p>  </p>
221    
222  <p>  <p>
223  When talking about free software, it is best to avoid using terms  When talking about free software, it is best to avoid using terms
224  like <q>give away</q> or <q>for free,</q> because those terms imply that  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  the issue is about price, not freedom.  Some common terms such
226  as <q>piracy</q> embody opinions we hope you won't endorse.  See  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  <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  are Worth Avoiding</a> for a discussion of these terms.  We also have
229  a list of <a href="/philosophy/fs-translations.html">translations of  a list of proper <a href="/philosophy/fs-translations.html">translations of
230  <q>free software</q></a> into various languages.  &ldquo;free software&rdquo;</a> into various languages.
231  </p>  </p>
232    
233  <p>  <p>
# Line 240  listed there, you can ask us about it by Line 253  listed there, you can ask us about it by
253  </p>  </p>
254    
255  <p>  <p>
256  If you are contemplating writing a new license, please contact the FSF  If you are contemplating writing a new license, please contact the
257  by writing to that address. The proliferation of different free software  Free Software Foundation first by writing to that address. The
258  licenses means increased work for users in understanding the licenses;  proliferation of different free software licenses means increased work
259  we may be able to help you find an existing Free Software license that  for users in understanding the licenses; we may be able to help you
260  meets your needs.  find an existing free software license that meets your needs.
261  </p>  </p>
262    
263  <p>  <p>
264  If that isn't possible, if you really need a new license, with our  If that isn't possible, if you really need a new license, with our
265  help you can ensure that the license really is a Free Software license  help you can ensure that the license really is a free software license
266  and avoid various practical problems.  and avoid various practical problems.
267  </p>  </p>
268    
# Line 278  free cultural works</a> applicable to an Line 291  free cultural works</a> applicable to an
291  <h2 id="open-source">Open Source?</h2>  <h2 id="open-source">Open Source?</h2>
292    
293  <p>  <p>
294  Another group has started using the term <q>open source</q> to mean  Another group has started using the term &ldquo;open source&rdquo; to mean
295  something close (but not identical) to <q>free software.</q>  We  something close (but not identical) to &ldquo;free software.&rdquo;  We
296  prefer the term <q>free software</q> because, once you have heard that  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  it refers to freedom rather than price, it calls to mind freedom.  The
298  word <q>open</q> <a href="/philosophy/open-source-misses-the-point.html">  word &ldquo;open&rdquo; <a href="/philosophy/open-source-misses-the-point.html">
299  never refers to freedom</a>.  never refers to freedom</a>.
300  </p>  </p>
301    
# Line 295  them if they like.</p> Line 308  them if they like.</p>
308    
309  <ul>  <ul>
310    
311    <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    1.92</a>: Clarify that obfuscated code does not qualify as source code.</li>
313    
314    <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    1.90</a>: Clarify that freedom 3 means the right to distribute copies
316    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  <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;  1.80</a>: Freedom 1 must be practical, not just theoretical;
325  i.e., no tivoization.</li>  i.e., no tivoization.</li>
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