There are a number of words and phrases which we recommend avoiding, either because they are ambiguous or because they imply an opinion that we hope you may not entirely agree with.
Other Texts to Read | ``For free'' | ``Freeware'' | ``Give away software'' | ``Intellectual property'' | ``Piracy'' | ``Protection'' | ``Sell software'' | ``Theft'' | Other Texts to Read
Also note Categories of Free Software (18k characters).
Free software is often available for free--for example, on many FTP servers. But free software copies are also available for a price on CD-ROMs, and proprietary software copies may occasionally be available for free.
To avoid confusion, you can say that the program is available ``as free software.''
But this analogy overlooks the crucial difference between material objects and information: information can be copied and shared almost effortlessly, while material objects can't be. Basing your thinking on this analogy is tantamount to ignoring that difference.
Even the US legal system does not entirely accept this analogy, since it does not treat copyrights just like physical object property rights.
If you don't want to limit yourself to this way of thinking, it is best to avoid using the term ``intellectual property'' in your words and thoughts.
Another problem with ``intellectual property'' is that it is an attempt to generalize about several legal systems, including copyright, patents, and trademarks, which are much more different than similar. Unless you have studied these areas of law and you know the differences, lumping them together will surely lead you to incorrect generalizations.
To avoid confusion, it is best not to look for alternative way of saying ``intellectual property.'' Instead, talk about copyright, patents, or whichever specific legal system is the issue.
If you don't believe that illegal copying is just like kidnaping and murder, you might prefer not to use the word ``piracy'' to describe it. Neutral terms such as ``prohibited copying'' or ``unauthorized copying'' are available for use instead. Some of us might even prefer to use a positive term such as ``sharing information with your neighbor.''
It is easy to avoid ``protection'' and use neutral terms instead. For example, instead of ``Copyright protection lasts a very long time,'' you can say, ``Copyright lasts a very long time.''
See Selling Free Software for more discussion of this issue.
So it is pertinent to mention that the legal system--at least in the US--rejects the idea that copyright infringement is ``theft''. Copyright advocates who use terms like ``stolen'' are misrepresenting the authority that they appeal to.
The idea that laws decide what is right or wrong is mistaken in general. Laws are, at their best, an attempt to achieve justice; to say that laws define justice or ethical conduct is turning things upside down.
FSF & GNU inquiries & questions to gnu@gnu.org. Other ways to contact the FSF.
Comments on these web pages to webmasters@www.gnu.org, send other questions to gnu@gnu.org.
Copyright (C) 1996, 1997, 1998 Free Software Foundation, Inc., 59 Temple Place - Suite 330, Boston, MA 02111, USA
Verbatim copying and distribution of this entire article is permitted in any medium, provided this notice is preserved.
Updated: 17 Dec 1998 tower