| "Open Source" has a specific definition, created by the Open Source Initiative: <https://opensource.org/osd> Certain usages may be covered by trademark protection, as an "OSI Approved License": <https://opensource.org/trademark-guidelines> It's based on the Debian Free Software Guidelines (DFSG), which were adopted by the Debian Project to determine what software does, and does not, qualify to be incorporated into the core distribution. (There is a non-free section, it is not considered part of the core distribution.) <https://www.debian.org/social_contract#guidelines> Both definitions owe much to the Free Software Foundation's "Free Software" definition and the four freedoms protected by the GNU GPL: - the freedom to use the software for any purpose, - the freedom to change the software to suit your needs, - the freedom to share the software with your friends and neighbors, and - the freedom to share the changes you make. <https://www.gnu.org/licenses/quick-guide-gplv3> <https://www.gnu.org/philosophy/free-sw.html> |