Why “Open Source” Misses the Point of Free Software
Open Source Jahrbuch 2007 – Zwischen freier Software und Gesellschaftsmodell, Lehmanns Media, Berlin, (2007)Abstract
When we call software “free,” we mean that it respects the users’ essential freedoms: the freedom to run it, to study and change it, and to redistribute copies with or without changes. This is a matter of freedom, not price, so think of “free speech,” not “free beer.” These freedoms are vitally important. They are essential, not just for the individual users’ sake, but because they promote social solidarity – that is, sharing and cooperation.