the same freedoms that you received. You
must make sure that they, too, receive or
can get the source code. And you must
show them these terms so they know their
rights.
Developers that use the GNU GPL protect
your rights with two steps: (1) assert
copyright on the software, and (2) offer you
this License giving you legal permission to
copy, distribute and/or modify it.
For the developers' and authors' protec-
tion, the GPL clearly explains that there
is no warranty for this free software. For
both users' and authors' sake, the GPL
requires that modifi ed versions be marked
as changed, so that their problems will
not be attributed erroneously to authors of
previous versions.
Some devices are designed to deny users
access to install or run modifi ed versions
of the software inside them, although the
manufacturer can do so. This is fundamen-
tally incompatible with the aim of protecting
users' freedom to change the software. The
systematic pattern of such abuse occurs in
the area of products for individuals to use,
which is precisely where it is most unac-
ceptable. Therefore, we have designed this
version of the GPL to prohibit the practice
for those products. If such problems arise
substantially in other domains, we stand
ready to extend this provision to those
domains in future versions of the GPL, as
needed to protect the freedom of users.
Finally, every program is threatened con-
stantly by software patents. States should
not allow patents to restrict development
and use of software on general-purpose
computers, but in those that do, we wish
to avoid the special danger that patents
applied to a free program could make it
effectively proprietary. To prevent this, the
GPL assures that patents cannot be used
to render the program non-free.
The precise terms and conditions for copy-
ing, distribution and modifi cation follow.
TERMS AND CONDITIONS
0. Defi nitions.
"This License" refers to version 3 of the GNU
General Public License.
"Copyright" also means copyright-like laws
that apply to other kinds of works, such as
semiconductor masks.
"The Program" refers to any copyrightable
work licensed under this License. Each licens-
ee is addressed as "you". "Licensees" and
"recipients" may be individuals or organiza-
tions.
To "modify" a work means to copy from
or adapt all or part of the work in a fashion
requiring copyright permission, other than the
making of an exact copy. The resulting work
is called a "modifi ed version" of the earlier
work or a work "based on" the earlier work.
A "covered work" means either the unmodifi ed
Program or a work based on the Program.
To "propagate" a work means to do anything
with it that, without permission, would make
you directly or secondarily liable for infringe-
ment under applicable copyright law, except
executing it on a computer or modifying a
private copy. Propagation includes copying,
distribution (with or without modifi cation),
making available to the public, and in some
countries other activities as well.
To "convey" a work means any kind of propa-
gation that enables other parties to make or
receive copies. Mere interaction with a user
through a computer network, with no transfer
of a copy, is not conveying.
An interactive user interface displays "Ap-
propriate Legal Notices" to the extent that it
includes a convenient and prominently visible
feature that (1) displays an appropriate copy-
right notice, and (2) tells the user that there is
no warranty for the work (except to the extent
that warranties are provided), that licensees
may convey the work under this License,
and how to view a copy of this License. If the
interface presents a list of user commands or
options, such as a menu, a prominent item in
the list meets this criterion.