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Re: [Fsfe-uk] Software patent - any action?
From: |
Alex McLintock |
Subject: |
Re: [Fsfe-uk] Software patent - any action? |
Date: |
Thu, 02 Jan 2003 12:34:40 +0000 |
At 13:44 31/12/02, Chris Lale wrote:
I also want to explain the meaning of free software to a lay person in my
letters. I would welcome comments on the following text, especially where
I have made mistakes.
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Open-source software and free software are the same in practical terms.
They both use the same licence (GPL). Their philosophy is different. Free
software is defined in terms of freedoms (freedom to run, study, adapt,
redistribute and improve a program). Open-source software is defined in
practical terms (rights attached to a program must allow redistribution
and derived works, avoid descrimination, must not be specific to a product
or restrict other software, must be technology neutral). Both require full
access to source code - no secrecy.
Free software is not the same as freeware or public domain software.
Freeware and public domain software can be snapped up and put into
non-free programs. Any improvements then made are lost to society. To stay
free, software must be copyrighted and licensed. Free software does not
mean non-commercial. A free program must be available for commercial use,
commercial development, and commercial distribution. Commercial
development of free software is now quite common.
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Looks good to me Chris. I assume you are granting permission for anyone to
use this text? I'd like to use it on my website.
:-)
Alex
Available for java/perl/C++/web development in London, UK or nearby. Apache
FOP, Cocoon,
Turbine, Struts,XSL:FO, XML, Tomcat, First meeting free.http://www.OWAL.co.uk/