We speak about Free Software Free Software is often referred to as "Open Source." This is a result of an attempt by the Open Source Initiative (OSI) to create a marketing campaign for Free Software. The OSI had the intention to maintain the integrity of the movement and prevent abuse by proprietary vendors by introducing a trademark for Free Software. Looking at the development of the Open Source Initative for three years, it becomes apparent that the reasons to prefer the term Free Software have become even more true. Speaking of Free Software or the equivalent term in other languages offers many advantages that this document seeks to explain. "Free Software" is easier to understand Many languages have separate terms referring to freedom and price. In these languages, the term "free" is not ambiguous. It may be in others, including English, but in those misunderstandings can easily be avoided by pointing out that free refers to freedom, not price. Although access to the source code is a precondition for two of the freedoms, access to the source code alone is not enough. Free Software avoids catering to this relatively common misunderstanding. Free Software is harder to abuse Unfortunately many companies have started calling their products "Open Source" if at least some parts of the source code can be seen. Users buy this software in the belief to purchase something "as good as GNU/Linux" because it claims to follow the same principle. We should not allow proprietary vendors to abuse peoples enthusiasm like this. Since the "Open Source" trademarking initiative failed, there is no way to prevent abuse of the term. Free Software is well-defined Experience in science and philosophy has shown that a good and concise definition is to be preferred. The Free Software Definition of the Free Software Foundation with its four freedoms is the clearest definition existing today. Free Software provides additional value Unlike Open Source, Free Software provides more than just a technical model how to develop better software, it provides a philosophy. Companies can profit and learn from the philosophy and background of Free Software. Free Software offers freedom Free Software provides the freedoms to - run the program, for any purpose. - study how the program works, and adapt it to your needs. - redistribute copies. - improve the program, and release your improvements to the public, so that the whole community benefits. Because of these four freedoms, Free Software offers freedom to learn, freedom to teach, freedom of competition, freedom of speech and freedom of choice. Freedom counts! For all these reasons we made the conscious decision to avoid the term Open Source and speak of Free Software or the equivalent term in other languages. We encourage you to make the same decision. An initative of the Free Software Foundation Europe and the Free Software Foundation We speak about Free Software Alcove Intevation Lolix