@@ -127,98 +127,114 @@ A particular program grants software freedom to a particular user if that
user is granted the following freedoms:
\begin{itemize}
\teim The freedom to run the program, for any purpose.
\item The freedom to study how the program works, and modify it
\item The freedom to redistribute copies.
\item The freedom to distribute copies of modified versions to others.
\end{itemize}
The focus on ``a particular user'' is particularly pertinent here. It is not
uncommon for the same version of a specific program to grant these freedoms
to some subset of its user base, while others have none or only some of these
freedoms. Section~\ref{Proprietary Relicensing} talks in detail about how
this can unfortunately happen even if a program is released under the GPL\@.
Many people refer to software that gives these freedoms as ``Open Source.''
Besides having a different political focus than those who call it Free
Software,\footnote{The political differences between the Free Software
Movement and the Open Source Movement are documented on FSF's Web site at
{\tt http://www.fsf.org/licensing/essays/free-software-for-freedom.html}.}
those who call the software ``Open Source'' are often focused on a side
issue. Specifically, user access to the source code of a program is a
prerequisite to make use of the freedom to modify. However, the important
issue is what freedoms are granted in the license of that source code.
Software freedom is only complete when no restrictions are imposed on how
these freedoms are exercised. Specifically, users and programmers can
exercise these freedoms noncommercially or commercially. Licenses that grant
these freedoms for noncommercial activities but prohibit them for commercial
activities are considered non-free. Even the Open Source Initiative
(\defn{OSI}) (the arbiter of what is considered ``Open Source'') also rules
such licenses not in fitting with their ``Open Source Definition''.
In general, software for which most or all of these freedoms are
restricted in any way is called ``non-Free Software.'' Typically, the
term ``proprietary software'' is used more or less interchangeably with
``non-Free Software.'' Personally, I tend to use the term ``non-Free
Software'' to refer to noncommercial software that restricts freedom
(such as ``shareware'') and ``proprietary software'' to refer to
commercial software that restricts freedom (such as nearly all of
Microsoft's and Oracle's offerings).
The remainder of this section considers each of the four freedoms in
detail.
Keep in mind that the none of the terms ``software freedom'', ``open source''
and ``free software'' are not known to be trademarked by any organization in
any jurisdiction. As such, it's quite common that these terms are abused and
misused by parties who wish to bank on the popularity of software freedom.
When one considers using, modifying or redistributing a software package that
purports to be Open Source or Free Software, one \textbf{must} verify that
the license grants software freedom
Furthermore, throughout this text, we generally prefer the term ``software
freedom'', as this is the least ambiguous term available to describe software
that meets the Free Software Definition. For example, it is well known and
often discussed that the adjective ``free'' has two unrelated meanings in
English: ``free as in freedom'' and ``free as in price''. Meanwhile, the
term ``open source'' is even more confusing, because it refers only to the
``freedom to study'', which is merely a subset of one of the four freedoms.
The remainder of this section considers each of each component of software
freedom in detail.
\subsection{The Freedom to Run}
For a program to be Free Software, the freedom to run the program must
be completely unrestricted. This means any use for software the user
can come up with must be permitted. Perhaps, for example, the user
has discovered an innovative use for a particular program, one
that the programmer never could have predicted. Such a use must not
be restricted.
It was once rare that this freedom was restricted by even proprietary
software; today it is not so rare. Most End User Licensing Agreements
(EULAs) that cover most proprietary software restrict some types of
use. For example, some versions of Microsoft's FrontPage software
prohibit use of the software to create Web sites that generate
negative publicity for Microsoft. Free Software has no such
restrictions; everyone is free to use Free Software for any purpose
whatsoever.
\subsection{The Freedom to Change and Modify}
Free Software programs allow users to change, modify and adapt the
software to suit their needs. Access to the source code and related build
scripts are an essential part of this freedom. Without the source code
and the ability to build the binary applications from that source, the
freedom cannot be properly exercised.
Programmers can take direct benefit from this freedom, and often do.
However, this freedom is also important to users who are not programmers.
Users must have the right to exercise this freedom indirectly in both
commercial and noncommercial settings. For example, users often seek
noncommercial help with the software on email lists and in users groups.
When they find such help, they must have the freedom to recruit
programmers who might altruistically assist them to modify their software.
The commercial exercise of this freedom is also essential for users. Each
user, or group of users, must have the right to hire anyone they wish in a
competitive free market to modify and change the software. This means
that companies have a right to hire anyone they wish to modify their Free
Software. Additionally, such companies may contract with other companies
to commission software modification.
\subsection{The Freedom to Copy and Share}
Users may share Free Software in a variety of ways. Free Software
advocates work to eliminate a fundamental ethical dilemma of the software
age: choosing between obeying a software license, and friendship (by
giving away a copy of a program to your friend who likes the software you are