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revision 1.10 by rms46, Wed Oct 17 08:05:44 2001 UTC revision 1.11 by rms, Fri Dec 21 17:06:31 2001 UTC
# Line 85  with the developer or any other specific Line 85  with the developer or any other specific
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    find or develop a way to make them.
91    
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
# Line 113  Thus, you may have paid money to get cop Line 114  Thus, you may have paid money to get cop
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>.
   
117  <P>  <P>
118    
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    
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
# Line 126  don't effectively block your freedom to Line 127  don't effectively block your freedom to
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    license to require that, if you have distributed a modified version
132    and a previous developer asks for a copy of it, you must send one.
133    
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">
# Line 171  software license, we judge it based on t Line 174  software license, we judge it based on t
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    
183  <P>  <P>
184    
# Line 191  HREF="mailto:licensing@gnu.org">&lt;lice Line 194  HREF="mailto:licensing@gnu.org">&lt;lice
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    
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    rather than price, <A HREF="free-software-for-freedom.html">it calls
201    to mind freedom</A>.
202    
203  <HR>  <HR>
204  [  [
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