85 |
The freedom to redistribute copies must include binary or executable |
The freedom to redistribute copies must include binary or executable |
86 |
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 |
87 |
unmodified versions. It is ok if there is no way to produce a binary |
unmodified versions. It is ok if there is no way to produce a binary |
88 |
or executable form, but people must have the freedom to redistribute |
or executable form (since some languages don't support that feature), |
89 |
such forms should they find a way to make them. |
but you must have the freedom to redistribute such forms should you |
90 |
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find or develop a way to make them. |
91 |
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92 |
<P> |
<P> |
93 |
In order for the freedoms to make changes, and to publish improved |
In order for the freedoms to make changes, and to publish improved |
114 |
may have obtained copies at no charge. But regardless of how you got |
may have obtained copies at no charge. But regardless of how you got |
115 |
your copies, you always have the freedom to copy and change the |
your copies, you always have the freedom to copy and change the |
116 |
software, even to <A HREF="/philosophy/selling.html">sell copies</A>. |
software, even to <A HREF="/philosophy/selling.html">sell copies</A>. |
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117 |
<P> |
<P> |
118 |
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119 |
``Free software'' does not mean ``non-commercial''. A free program |
``Free software'' does not mean ``non-commercial''. A free program |
120 |
must be available for commercial use. Commercial development of free |
must be available for commercial use, commercial development, and |
121 |
software is no longer unusual; such programs are free commercial |
commercial distribution. Commercial development of free software is |
122 |
software. |
no longer unusual; such free commercial software is very important. |
123 |
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124 |
<P> |
<P> |
125 |
Rules about how to package a modified version are acceptable, if they |
Rules about how to package a modified version are acceptable, if they |
127 |
Rules that ``if you make the program available in this way, you must |
Rules that ``if you make the program available in this way, you must |
128 |
make it available in that way also'' can be acceptable too, on the |
make it available in that way also'' can be acceptable too, on the |
129 |
same condition. (Note that such a rule still leaves you the choice of |
same condition. (Note that such a rule still leaves you the choice of |
130 |
whether to publish the program or not.) |
whether to publish the program or not.) It is also acceptable for the |
131 |
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license to require that, if you have distributed a modified version |
132 |
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and a previous developer asks for a copy of it, you must send one. |
133 |
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134 |
<P> |
<P> |
135 |
In the GNU project, we use <A HREF="/copyleft/copyleft.html"> |
In the GNU project, we use <A HREF="/copyleft/copyleft.html"> |
174 |
whether it fits their spirit as well as the precise words. If a |
whether it fits their spirit as well as the precise words. If a |
175 |
license includes unconscionable restrictions, we reject it, even if we |
license includes unconscionable restrictions, we reject it, even if we |
176 |
did not anticipate the issue in these criteria. Sometimes a license |
did not anticipate the issue in these criteria. Sometimes a license |
177 |
requirement raises an issue that calls for extensive thought before we |
requirement raises an issue that calls for extensive thought, |
178 |
can decide if the requirement is acceptable, including discussions |
including discussions with a lawyer, before we can decide if the |
179 |
with a lawyer. When we reach a conclusion, we sometimes update these |
requirement is acceptable. When we reach a conclusion about a new |
180 |
criteria to make it easier to see why certain licenses do or don't |
issue, we often update these criteria to make it easier to see why |
181 |
qualify. |
certain licenses do or don't qualify. |
182 |
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183 |
<P> |
<P> |
184 |
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194 |
<H4><A HREF="/philosophy/philosophy.html">Other Texts to Read</A></H4> |
<H4><A HREF="/philosophy/philosophy.html">Other Texts to Read</A></H4> |
195 |
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|
196 |
<P> |
<P> |
197 |
Another group has started using the term <A |
Another group has started using the term "open source" to mean |
198 |
HREF="free-software-for-freedom.html"> open source</A> to mean |
something close (but not identical) to "free software". We prefer the |
199 |
something close (but not identical) to "free software". |
term "free software" because, once you have heard it refers to freedom |
200 |
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rather than price, <A HREF="free-software-for-freedom.html">it calls |
201 |
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to mind freedom</A>. |
202 |
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203 |
<HR> |
<HR> |
204 |
[ |
[ |