20 |
</p> |
</p> |
21 |
|
|
22 |
<p> |
<p> |
23 |
<q>Free software</q> is a matter of liberty, not price. To understand |
“Free software” is a matter of liberty, not price. To understand |
24 |
the concept, you should think of <q>free</q> as in <q>free speech,</q> |
the concept, you should think of “free” as in “free speech,” |
25 |
not as in <q>free beer.</q> |
not as in “free beer.” |
26 |
</p> |
</p> |
27 |
|
|
28 |
<p> |
<p> |
89 |
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 |
90 |
freedom to publish improved versions) to be meaningful, you must have |
freedom to publish improved versions) to be meaningful, you must have |
91 |
access to the source code of the program. Therefore, accessibility of |
access to the source code of the program. Therefore, accessibility of |
92 |
source code is a necessary condition for free software. |
source code is a necessary condition for free software. Obfuscated |
93 |
|
“source code” is not real source code and does not count |
94 |
|
as source code. |
95 |
</p> |
</p> |
96 |
|
|
97 |
<p> |
<p> |
140 |
</p> |
</p> |
141 |
|
|
142 |
<p> |
<p> |
143 |
<q>Free software</q> does not mean <q>noncommercial.</q> A free |
“Free software” does not mean “noncommercial.” 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. |
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 “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” 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 |
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> |
“<a href="/copyleft/copyleft.html">copyleft</a>” |
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 |
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 “free software,” “copylefted software” |
188 |
and other categories of software relate to each other. |
and other categories of software relate to each other. |
189 |
</p> |
</p> |
190 |
|
|
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 “give away” or “for free,” 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 “piracy” 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 proper <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. |
“free software”</a> into various languages. |
231 |
</p> |
</p> |
232 |
|
|
233 |
<p> |
<p> |
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 “open source” to mean |
295 |
something close (but not identical) to <q>free software.</q> We |
something close (but not identical) to “free software.” We |
296 |
prefer the term <q>free software</q> because, once you have heard that |
prefer the term “free software” 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 “open” <a href="/philosophy/open-source-misses-the-point.html"> |
299 |
never refers to freedom</a>. |
never refers to freedom</a>. |
300 |
</p> |
</p> |
301 |
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|
308 |
|
|
309 |
<ul> |
<ul> |
310 |
|
|
311 |
|
<li><a href="http://web.cvs.savannah.gnu.org/viewvc/www/philosophy/free-sw.html?root=www&r1=1.91&r2=1.92">Version |
312 |
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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&r1=1.89&r2=1.90">Version |
<li><a href="http://web.cvs.savannah.gnu.org/viewvc/www/philosophy/free-sw.html?root=www&r1=1.89&r2=1.90">Version |
315 |
1.90</a>: Clarify that freedom 3 means the right to distribute copies |
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 |
of your own modified or improved version, not a right to participate |