FSF versus OSI!

To write a comparison between open source and free software first a short definition of each is helpful.

Free software is under the GPL license that allows the user to run, study, change, distribute and modify the program freely. It allows the access to the source code. Also it allows commercial use in a way that it doesn’t limit the freedom of users. It means that a person can sell copies of free software or modified versions of it but cannot limit users to do so. Since the source code must be open for any modification, the source code of the modified version is available and free to use.

Open source has many similarities in definition with free software. As the name implies, the source code is available, and redistribution and modifications are allowed. The difference is that it allows the usage of open source software as a component of aggregate software which doesn’t have necessarily the open source license. As opposed to free software that considers the freedom of user the most, open source considers the freedom of developer to use the open source codes so as to develop a program which might limit the freedom of use. In this way it allows the developer to take more advantage of modifications.

Out of FSF and OSI views, it is observed that free software considers ethical issues and its goal is the freedom of users while Open source by adopting a trademark and considering the companies has gone away from the social movement of freedom.

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