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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' protection,
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 fundamentally
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
unacceptable. 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 constantly
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 copying,
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
licensee is addressed as “you”. “Licensees”
and “recipients” may be individuals or
organizations.
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
infringement 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
propagation 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
“Appropriate Legal Notices” to the extent
that it includes a convenient and prominently
visible feature that (1) displays an appropriate
copyright 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.