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Permission is granted to copy and distribute translations +of this book from the original English into another language provided +the translation has been approved by the Free Software Foundation and +the copyright notice and this permission notice are preserved on all +copies. + +ISBN 978-0-9831592-0-9 +Cover design by Rob Myers. + +Cover photograph by Peter Hinely. + --> +<!-- Created on February 18, 2016 by texi2html 1.82 +texi2html was written by: + Lionel Cons <Lionel.Cons@cern.ch> (original author) + Karl Berry <karl@freefriends.org> + Olaf Bachmann <obachman@mathematik.uni-kl.de> + and many others. +Maintained by: Many creative people. +Send bugs and suggestions to <texi2html-bug@nongnu.org> +--> +<head> +<title>Free Software, Free Society, 2nd ed.: 13. Categories of Free and Nonfree Software</title> + +<meta name="description" content="This is the second edition of Richard Stallman's collection of essays."> +<meta name="keywords" content="Free Software, Free Society, 2nd ed.: 13. Categories of Free and Nonfree Software"> +<meta name="resource-type" content="document"> +<meta name="distribution" content="global"> +<meta name="Generator" content="texi2html 1.82"> +<meta http-equiv="Content-Type" content="text/html; charset=utf-8"> +<style type="text/css"> +<!-- +a.summary-letter {text-decoration: none} +blockquote.smallquotation {font-size: smaller} +pre.display {font-family: serif} +pre.format {font-family: serif} +pre.menu-comment {font-family: serif} +pre.menu-preformatted {font-family: serif} +pre.smalldisplay {font-family: serif; font-size: smaller} +pre.smallexample {font-size: smaller} +pre.smallformat {font-family: serif; font-size: smaller} +pre.smalllisp {font-size: smaller} +span.roman {font-family:serif; font-weight:normal;} +span.sansserif {font-family:sans-serif; font-weight:normal;} +ul.toc {list-style: none} +--> +</style> +<link rel="stylesheet" type="text/css" href="../style.css"> + + +</head> + +<body lang="en" bgcolor="#FFFFFF" text="#000000" link="#0000FF" vlink="#800080" alink="#FF0000"> + +<a name="Categories"></a> +<header><div id="logo"><img src="../gnu.svg" height="100" width="100"></div><h1>Free Software, Free Society, 2nd ed.</h1></header><section id="main"><a name="Categories-of-Free-and-Nonfree-Software"></a> +<h1 class="chapter"> 13. Categories of Free and Nonfree Software </h1> + +<a name="index-call-to-action_002c-use-correct-terminology-_0028see-also-terminology_0029-3"></a> + <img src="category.jpg" alt="category"> + +<blockquote class="smallquotation"><p><em>This diagram, originally by Chao-Kuei and updated by several +others since, explains the different categories of software. It’s +available at <a href="http://gnu.org/philosophy/categories.html">http://gnu.org/philosophy/categories.html</a> as +a Scalable Vector Graphic and as an XFig document, under the terms of +any of the GNU GPL v2 or later, the GNU FDL v1.2 or later, or the +Creative Commons Attribution-Share Alike v2.0 or later. To view a copy +of the Creative Commons license, visit +<a href="http://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-sa/2.0">http://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-sa/2.0</a>, or +send a letter to Creative Commons, 171 Second Street, +Suite 300, San Francisco, California 94105, USA.</em> +</p></blockquote> +<br> +<a name="Free-Software"></a> +<h3 class="subheading"> Free Software </h3> + +<a name="index-software_002c-free-_0028see-also-free-software_0029"></a> +<a name="index-free-software-_0028see-also-free-software_002c-four-freedoms_002c-citizen-values_002c-selling_002c-and-software_0029-2"></a> + +<p> Free software is software that comes with permission for + anyone to use, copy, and/or distribute, either verbatim or with + modifications, either gratis or for a fee. In particular, this + means that source code must be available. “If it’s not + source, it’s not software.” This is a simplified + description; see also the full definition (p. @refx{Definition-pg}{). +</p> +<p> If a program is free, then it can potentially be included + in a free operating system such as GNU, or free versions of + the GNU/Linux + system. +</p> +<p> There are many different ways to make a program free—many + questions of detail, which could be decided in more than one way + and still make the program free. Some of the possible variations + are described below. For information on specific free software + licenses, see the license list page, at <a href="http://gnu.org/licenses/license-list.html">http://gnu.org/licenses/license-list.html</a>. +</p> +<p> Free software is a matter of freedom, not price. But + proprietary software companies typically use the term + “free software” to refer to price. Sometimes they + mean that you can obtain a binary copy at no charge; sometimes + they mean that a copy is bundled with a computer that you are + buying, and the price includes both. Either way, it has + nothing to do with what we mean by free software in the GNU + Project. +</p> +<p> Because of this potential confusion, when a software company + says its product is free software, always check the actual + distribution terms to see whether users really have all the + freedoms that free software implies. Sometimes it really is free + software; sometimes it isn’t. +</p> +<p> Many languages have two separate words for + “free” as in freedom and “free” as in + zero price. For example, French has “libre” and + “gratuit.” Not so English; there is a word + “gratis” that refers unambiguously to price, but + no common adjective that refers unambiguously to freedom. So + if you are speaking another language, we suggest you translate + “free” into your language to make it clearer. See + our list of + translations of the term “free software” into + various other languages (p. @refx{FS Translations-pg}{). +</p> +<p> Free software is often more reliable than nonfree software. +<a name="index-software_002c-free-_0028see-also-free-software_0029-1"></a> +<a name="index-free-software-_0028see-also-free-software_002c-four-freedoms_002c-citizen-values_002c-selling_002c-and-software_0029-3"></a> +</p> +<a name="Open-Source-Software"></a> +<h3 class="subheading"> Open Source Software </h3> + +<a name="index-software_002c-open-source-_0028see-also-open-source-software_0029"></a> +<a name="index-open-source-software-_0028see-also-software_0029"></a> + +<p> The term “open source” software is used by some + people to mean more or less the same category as free + software. It is not exactly the same class of software: they + accept some licenses that we consider too restrictive, and + there are free software licenses they have not + accepted. However, the differences in extension of the + category are small: nearly all free software is open source, + and nearly all open source software is free. +<a name="index-free-software_002c-essential-difference-between-open-source-and-1"></a> +<a name="index-open-source_002c-essential-difference-between-free-software-and-1"></a> +</p> +<p> We prefer the term “free + software” because it refers to + freedom—something that the term “open + source” does not do. +</p> +<a name="Public-Domain-Software"></a> +<h3 class="subheading"> Public Domain Software </h3> + +<a name="index-software_002c-public-domain-_0028see-also-public-domain-software_0029"></a> +<a name="index-public-domain-software-_0028see-also-software_0029-2"></a> +<a name="index-copyright_002c-public-domain-software-and-_0028see-also-public-domain-software_0029"></a> + +<p> Public domain software is software that is not copyrighted. If + the source code is in the public domain, that is a special case of + noncopylefted free + software, which means that some copies or modified versions + may not be free at all. +</p> +<p> In some cases, an executable program can be in the public +domain but the source code is not available. This is not free +software, because free software requires accessibility of source code. +Meanwhile, most free software is not in the + +public domain; it is +copyrighted, and the copyright holders have legally given permission +for everyone to use it in freedom, using a free software license. +</p> +<p> Sometimes people use the term “public domain” + in a loose fashion to + mean “free” or + “available gratis.” However, “public + domain” is a legal term and means, precisely, “not + copyrighted.” For clarity, we recommend using + “public domain” for that meaning only, and using + other terms to convey the other meanings. +</p> +<p> Under the +<a name="index-copyright_002c-Berne-Convention"></a> +<a name="index-Berne-Convention-_0028see-also-copyright_0029"></a> +Berne Convention, which most countries have + signed, anything written down is automatically + copyrighted. This includes programs. Therefore, if you want a + program you have written to be in the public domain, you must + take some legal steps to disclaim the copyright on it; + otherwise, the program is copyrighted. +<a name="index-software_002c-public-domain-_0028see-also-public-domain-software_0029-1"></a> +<a name="index-public-domain-software-_0028see-also-software_0029-3"></a> +<a name="index-copyright_002c-public-domain-software-and-_0028see-also-public-domain-software_0029-1"></a> +</p> +<a name="Copylefted-Software"></a> +<h3 class="subheading"> Copylefted Software </h3> + +<a name="index-software_002c-copylefted-_0028see-also-copylefted-software_0029"></a> +<a name="index-copylefted-software-_0028see-also-software_0029"></a> + +<p>Copylefted software is free software whose distribution terms ensure +that all copies of all versions carry more or less the same +distribution terms. This means, for instance, that copyleft licenses +generally disallow others to add additional requirements to the +software (though a limited set of safe added requirements can be +allowed) and require making source code available. This shields the +program, and its modified versions, from some of the common ways of +making a program proprietary. +</p> +<p>Some copyleft licenses, such as GPL version 3, block other +means of turning software proprietary, such as tivoization. +</p> +<p>In the GNU Project, we copyleft almost all the software we +write, because our goal is to give <em>every</em> user the freedoms +implied by the term “free software.” See the essay “Copyleft” +(p. @refx{Copyleft-pg}{) for more explanation of how copyleft works and +why we use it. +</p> +<a name="index-copyleft_002c-and-GPL"></a> + +<p>Copyleft is a general concept; to copyleft an actual program, +you need to use a specific set of distribution terms. There are many +possible ways to write copyleft distribution terms, so in principle +there can be many copyleft free software licenses. However, in actual +practice nearly all copylefted software uses the GNU General Public +License. Two different copyleft licenses are usually “incompatible,” +which means it is illegal to merge the code using one license with the +code using the other license; therefore, it is good for the community +if people use a single copyleft license. +</p> +<a name="Noncopylefted-Free-Software"></a> +<h3 class="subheading"> Noncopylefted Free Software </h3> + +<a name="index-software_002c-noncopylefted-free-_0028see-also-noncopylefted-free-software_0029"></a> +<a name="index-noncopylefted-free-software-_0028see-also-software_0029-1"></a> +<p> Noncopylefted free software comes from the author with + permission to redistribute and modify, and also to add additional + restrictions to it. +</p> +<p> If a program is free but not copylefted, then some copies + or modified versions may not be free at all. A software + company can compile the program, with or without + modifications, and distribute the executable file as + a proprietary software product. +</p> +<a name="index-X-Window-System-3"></a> +<a name="index-X-Consortium-_0028see-also-Open-Group_002c-its-successor_0029"></a> +<a name="index-X11-licenses"></a> +<p> The X Window System illustrates this. The X Consortium +releases X11 with distribution terms that make it noncopylefted free +software. If you wish, you can get a copy which has those distribution +terms and is free. However, there are nonfree versions as well, and +there are (or at least were) popular workstations and PC graphics +boards for which nonfree versions are the only ones that work. If you +are using this hardware, X11 is not free software for you. The +developers of X11 even made X11 nonfree for a while; they were able to +do this because others had contributed their code under the same +noncopyleft license. +</p> +<a name="index-X-Window-System-4"></a> +<a name="index-X-Consortium-_0028see-also-Open-Group_002c-its-successor_0029-1"></a> +<a name="index-X11-licenses-1"></a> +<a name="index-software_002c-noncopylefted-free-_0028see-also-noncopylefted-free-software_0029-1"></a> +<a name="index-noncopylefted-free-software-_0028see-also-software_0029-2"></a> + +<a name="Lax-Permissive-Licensed-Software"></a> +<h3 class="subheading"> Lax Permissive Licensed Software </h3> + +<a name="index-lax-permissive-licensed-software"></a> +<a name="index-software_002c-lax-permissive-licensed"></a> +<p>Lax permissive licenses include the +<a name="index-X11-licenses-2"></a> +X11 license and the two +<a name="index-BSD-licenses-_0028see-also-both-_0060_0060BSD_002dstyle_0027_0027-and-GPL_0029"></a> +BSD +licenses. These licenses permit almost any use of the code, including +distributing proprietary binaries with or without changing the source +code. +</p> +<a name="GPL_002dCovered-Software"></a> +<h3 class="subheading"> GPL-Covered Software </h3> + +<a name="index-software_002c-GPL_002dcovered-_0028see-also-GPL_002dcovered-software_0029"></a> +<a name="index-GPL_002c-GPL_002dcovered-software-_0028see-also-software_0029"></a> +<a name="index-GPL_002dcovered-software-_0028see-also-software_0029"></a> +<p> The GNU GPL (General Public + License) is one specific set of distribution terms for + copylefting a program. The GNU Project uses it as the distribution + terms for most GNU software. +</p> +<p> To equate free software with GPL-covered software is therefore + an error. +</p> +<a name="The-GNU-Operating-System"></a> +<h3 class="subheading"> The GNU Operating System </h3> + +<a name="index-software_002c-GNU-operating-system-_0028see-also-GNU_0029"></a> +<a name="index-GNU_002c-GNU-operating-system-_0028see-also-both-software-and-GNU_0029"></a> + +<p> The GNU operating system is the + Unix-like operating system, which is entirely free software, that + we in the GNU Project have developed since 1984. +</p> +<a name="index-TeX-2"></a> +<p> A Unix-like operating system consists of many programs. The GNU + system includes all the GNU software, as well as many other + packages, such as the X Window System and TeX, which are not GNU + software. +</p> +<a name="index-Hurd_002c-GNU-1"></a> +<a name="index-GNU_002c-GNU-Hurd-2"></a> +<a name="index-kernel_002c-GNU-Hurd-1"></a> +<p> The first test release of the complete GNU system was in + 1996. This includes the GNU Hurd, our kernel, developed since + 1990. In 2001 the GNU system (including the GNU Hurd) began + working fairly reliably, but the Hurd still lacks some + important features, so it is not widely used. Meanwhile, + the GNU/Linux system, + an offshoot of the GNU operating system which uses Linux as + the kernel instead of the GNU Hurd, has been a great success + since the 90s. +</p> +<p> Since the purpose of GNU is to be free, every single + component in the GNU operating system has to be free + software. They don’t all have to be copylefted, however; any + kind of free software is legally suitable to include if it + helps meet technical goals. And it isn’t necessary for all the + components to be GNU software, individually. GNU can and does + include noncopylefted free software such as the X Window + System that were developed by other projects. +</p> +<a name="GNU-Programs"></a> +<h3 class="subheading"> GNU Programs </h3> + +<a name="index-software_002c-GNU-programs-_0028see-also-GNU-programs_0029"></a> +<a name="index-GNU_002c-GNU-programs-_0028see-also-software_0029-1"></a> + +<p> “GNU programs” is equivalent + to GNU software. A program Foo is a + GNU program if it is GNU software. We also sometimes say it + is a “GNU package.” +</p> +<a name="GNU-Software"></a> +<h3 class="subheading"> GNU Software </h3> + +<a name="index-software_002c-GNU_0028see-also-GNU-software_0029"></a> +<a name="index-GNU-_0028see-also-both-software-and-GNU_0029-3"></a> +<p> GNU software is + software that is released under the auspices of the GNU Project. If a program is GNU + software, we also say that it is a GNU program or a GNU + package. The README or manual of a GNU package should say it + is one; also, + + the Free Software Directory identifies all GNU packages. +</p> + +<p> Most GNU software is copylefted, but not all; however, + all GNU software must be free software. +</p> +<a name="index-FSF_002c-software-development"></a> +<a name="index-FSF_002c-copyright-on-software"></a> +<p> Some GNU software was written by staff of the Free Software +Foundation, but most GNU software comes from many volunteers. (Some of +these volunteers are paid by companies or universities, but they are +volunteers for us.) Some contributed software is copyrighted by the +Free Software Foundation; some is copyrighted by the contributors who +wrote it. +<a name="index-software_002c-GNU_0028see-also-GNU-software_0029-1"></a> +<a name="index-GNU-_0028see-also-both-software-and-GNU_0029-4"></a> +</p> +<a name="Nonfree-Software"></a> +<h3 class="subheading"> Nonfree Software </h3> + +<a name="index-software_002c-nonfree-_0028see-also-nonfree-software_0029"></a> +<a name="index-nonfree-software-_0028see-also-software_0029"></a> +<p> Nonfree software is any software that is not free. + Its use, redistribution or modification is prohibited, or + requires you to ask for permission, or is restricted so much + that you effectively can’t do it freely. +</p> +<a name="Proprietary-Software"></a> +<h3 class="subheading"> Proprietary Software </h3> + +<a name="index-software_002c-proprietary-_0028see-also-proprietary-software_0029"></a> +<a name="index-proprietary-software-_0028see-also-software_0029"></a> +<p> Proprietary software is another name for nonfree software. + In the past we subdivided nonfree software into + “semifree software,” which could be modified and + redistributed noncommercially, and “proprietary + software,” which could not be. But we have dropped that + distinction and now use “proprietary software” as + synonymous with nonfree software. +</p> +<a name="index-FSF_002c-on-installing-proprietary-software"></a> +<p> The Free Software Foundation follows the rule that we cannot + install any proprietary program on our computers except temporarily + for the specific purpose of writing a free replacement for that + very program. Aside from that, we feel there is no possible excuse + for installing a proprietary program. +</p> +<p> For example, we felt justified in installing Unix on our + computer in the 1980s, because we were using it to write a free + replacement for Unix. Nowadays, since free operating systems are + available, the excuse is no longer applicable; we do not use any + nonfree operating systems, and any new computer we install + must run a completely free operating system. +</p> +<p> We don’t insist that users of GNU, or contributors to GNU, have + to live by this rule. It is a rule we made for ourselves. But we + hope you will follow it too, for your freedom’s sake. +</p> +<a name="Freeware"></a> +<h3 class="subheading"> Freeware </h3> + +<a name="index-software_002c-freeware-_0028see-also-freeware_0029"></a> +<a name="index-_0060_0060freeware_002c_0027_0027-erroneous-use-of-term"></a> +<p> The term “freeware” has no clear accepted + definition, but it is commonly used for packages which permit + redistribution but not modification (and their source code is + not available). These packages are <em>not</em> free software, + so please don’t use “freeware” to refer to free + software. +</p> +<a name="Shareware"></a> +<h3 class="subheading"> Shareware </h3> + +<a name="index-software_002c-shareware"></a> +<a name="index-shareware-_0028see-also-software_0029"></a> +<p> Shareware is software which comes with permission for people to + redistribute copies, but says that anyone who continues to use a + copy is <em>required</em> to pay a license fee. +</p> +<p> Shareware is not free software, or even semifree. There are two + reasons it is not: + +</p> +<ul> +<li> +For most shareware, source code is not available; thus, you cannot modify the program at all. + +</li><li> +Shareware does not come with permission to make a copy and install it without paying a license fee, not even for individuals engaging in nonprofit activity. (In practice, people often disregard the distribution terms and do this anyway, but the terms don’t permit it.) + +</li></ul> +<a name="index-software_002c-shareware-1"></a> +<a name="index-shareware-_0028see-also-software_0029-1"></a> + +<a name="Private-Software"></a> +<h3 class="subheading"> Private Software </h3> + +<a name="index-software_002c-private"></a> +<a name="index-private-software-_0028see-also-software_0029"></a> +<a name="index-development_002c-private-software"></a> +<p> Private or custom software is software developed for one user + (typically an organization or company). That user keeps it and uses + it, and does not release it to the public either as source code or + as binaries. +</p> +<p> A private program is free software in a trivial sense if its + sole user has full rights to it. +</p> +<p> In general we do not believe it is wrong to develop a program + and not release it. There are occasions when a program is so useful + that withholding it from release is treating humanity badly. + However, most programs are not that important, so not releasing them + is not particularly harmful. Thus, there is no conflict between the + development of private or custom software and the principles of the + free software movement. +</p> +<p> Nearly all employment for programmers is in development of + custom software; therefore most programming jobs are, or could be, + done in a way compatible with the free software movement. +</p> +<a name="Commercial-Software"></a> +<h3 class="subheading"> Commercial Software </h3> + +<a name="index-software_002c-commercial-_0028see-also-commercial-software_0029"></a> +<a name="index-commercial-software-_0028see-also-software_0029"></a> +<a name="index-commercial-software_002c-to-be-distinguished-from-proprietary-software"></a> +<a name="index-proprietary-software_002c-to-be-distinguished-from-commercial-software"></a> +<a name="index-development_002c-commercial-software"></a> +<p> Commercial software is software being developed by a + business which aims to make money from the use of the + software. “Commercial” and + “proprietary” are not the same thing! Most + commercial software + is proprietary, but there + is commercial free software, and there is noncommercial + nonfree software. +</p> +<a name="index-GNU_002c-GNU-Ada-compiler-1"></a> +<a name="index-Ada-compiler_002c-GNU-1"></a> +<p> For example, GNU Ada is developed by a company. It is always + distributed under the terms of the GNU GPL, and every copy is + free software; but its developers sell support contracts. When + their salesmen speak to prospective customers, sometimes the + customers say, “We would feel safer with a commercial + compiler.” The salesmen reply, “GNU + Ada <em>is</em> a commercial compiler; it happens to be free + software.” +</p> +<p> For the GNU Project, the emphasis is in the other order: + the important thing is that GNU Ada is free software; whether + it is commercial is just a detail. However, the additional + development of GNU Ada that results from its being commercial + is definitely beneficial. +</p> +<p> Please help spread the awareness that free commercial + software is possible. You can do this by making an effort not + to say “commercial” when you mean + “proprietary.” +<a name="index-call-to-action_002c-use-correct-terminology-_0028see-also-terminology_0029-4"></a> +</p><hr size="2"> +</body> +</html> |