What is Free Software? - Licensing Introduction

What is Free Software?

Before we can understand what free software is, we need to establish what free software is NOT.

The most familiar license with most people is the proprietary software model. Under most proprietary license agreements you prohibited from such uses as modification, further distribution (internally or externally), reverse engineering, or studying how the software works. Users who wish to improve or study the program do not have access to the source code, nor do they have the ability to change it. Violations of these terms often lead to fines, legal action, and punishment by law; including imprisonment.

Shareware is software that is available free of charge; may be distributed for evaluation with a fee requested for additional features or a manual etc.

Freeware is complete and functional software that does not require payment or other compensation (such as nags or advertising) for its use. Freeware may be a proprietary license with no access to the source code.

Free software, software libre or libre software is software that can be used, studied, and modified without restriction, and which can be copied and redistributed in modified or unmodified form either without restriction, or with minimal restrictions only to ensure that further recipients can redistribute the software or their modified versions

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