free-sw.html version 1.74

date: 2008-12-09 18:16:53 +0000;  author: rms;  state: Exp;  lines: +32 -11;  commitid: UDjcwJTqPhHgVOtt;
Make it explicit that "improvements" is not meant to limit what kinds
of modified versions you can release.  State in the table that you
must be able to release modified versions, not just the changes.

The right to merge in existing modules refers to those
that are suitably licensed.

Explicitly state the conclusion of the point about export controls.


Index: free-sw.html
===================================================================
RCS file: /web/www/www/philosophy/free-sw.html,v
retrieving revision 1.73
retrieving revision 1.74
diff -U 2 -r1.73 -r1.74
--
++ free-sw.html	9 Dec 2008 14:59:28 18:16:53 -0000	1.73	1.74
@@ -42,4 +42,5 @@
  </li>
  <li>The freedom to improve the program, and release your improvements
      (and modified versions in general)
      to the public, so that the whole community benefits (freedom 3). 
      Access to the source code is a precondition for this.
@@ -93,9 +94,9 @@

<p>
One important way to modify a program is by merging in available free
subroutines and modules.  If the program's license says that you
cannot merge in an a suitably-licensed existing module, such as if it
requires you to be the copyright holder of any code you add, then the
license is too restrictive to qualify as free.
</p>

@@ -103,6 +104,8 @@
In order for these freedoms to be real, they must be irrevocable as
long as you do nothing wrong; if the developer of the software has the
power to revoke the license, or replace it with a different license
(since this implies revoking the old license),
without your doing anything wrong to give cause, the software is not
free.
</p>

@@ -124,4 +127,10 @@

<p>
Whether a change constitutes an improvement is a subjective matter.
If your modifications are limited, in substance, to changes that
someone else considers an improvement, that is not freedom.
</p>

<p>
<q>Free software</q> does not mean <q>non-commercial.</q>  A free
program must be available for commercial use, commercial development,
@@ -168,5 +177,7 @@
is refuse to impose them as conditions of use of the program.  In this
way, the restrictions will not affect activities and people outside the
jurisdictions of these governments.  Thus, free software licenses
must not require obedience to any export regulations a condition of
any of the essential freedoms.
</p>

@@ -279,6 +290,16 @@
<ul>

<li><a href="http://web.cvs.savannah.gnu.org/viewvc/www/philosophy/free-sw.html?root=www&r1=1.71&r2=1.72">Version
1.72</a>: Add this History section.</li> href="http://web.cvs.savannah.gnu.org/viewvc/www/philosophy/free-sw.html?root=www&r1=1.73&r2=1.74">Version
1.74</a>: Three clarifications of points not explicit enough, or stated
in some places but not reflected everywhere:
<ul>
<li>"Improvements" does not mean the license can
substantively limit what kinds of modified versions you can release.
Freedom 3 includes distributing modified versions, not just changes.</li>
<li>The right to merge in existing modules
refers to those that are suitably licensed.</li>
<li>Explicitly state the conclusion of the point about export controls.</li>
</ul>
</li>

<li><a href="http://web.cvs.savannah.gnu.org/viewvc/www/philosophy/free-sw.html?root=www&r1=1.56&r2=1.57">Version
@@ -362,5 +383,5 @@
Updated:
<!-- timestamp start -->
$Date: 2026/01/28 17:24:09 $
<!-- timestamp end -->
</p>