Working together for free software

Because most software we buy or download from the web denies us these rights, we can look at the reasons why: usually we don't actually buy ownership of the software but instead, receive a license to use the software, binding us with many fine-print rules about what we can and cannot do.

We should be able to make copies of software and give them to our friends, we should be able to figure out how programs work and change them, we should be able to put copies of software on all the computers in our home or office — these are all things that software licenses are traditionally designed to prevent.

Enter the free software movement: groups of individuals in collaboration over the Internet and in local groups, working together for the rights of computer users worldwide, creating new software to replace the bad licenses on your computer with community built software that removes the restrictions put in place and creates new and exciting ways to use computers for social good.

Meet the community

• Meet the Free Software Community
• Look who's using free software

Get started with free software

• Learn how you can install free software on your computer
• Meet some of the free software programs you can install
• Through our Working Together for Free Software campaign fund, you can donate to help advance free software in specific areas.

The next steps towards full free software

• Take the next steps toward complete software freedom

Read this page in Spanish.