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This page is generated from the source Markdown file so it can be viewed inside the MkDocs site.

📝 Page Status: Draft — sourced but not yet reviewed

  • Status: draft
  • Sources: 2
  • Relationships: 2
  • Research debt items: 4
  • Last verified: 2026-06-25

Free Software Foundation

Summary

The Free Software Foundation is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization founded in 1985 with a worldwide mission to promote computer user freedom and defend the rights of all software users.

Verified Facts

  • The official about page describes FSF as a nonprofit with a worldwide mission to promote computer user freedom and defend the rights of all software users.
  • The official press page states FSF was founded in 1985 and defends and promotes computer users' right to use, study, copy, modify, and redistribute computer programs.
  • FSF was founded on October 4, 1985.
  • FSF's founding was closely connected to the GNU Project, which was announced in September 1983.
  • FSF maintains the GNU General Public License (GPL), which is the most widely used free software license.

Public Contact Information

Relevance to Open Source and Software Companies

FSF is the organization that created and maintains the GPL family of licenses, which are used by a large proportion of free and open source software. They provide resources on software freedom, license compliance, and the ethical and legal framework that underpins free software. Software companies using or distributing GPL-licensed code benefit from FSF's guidance and advocacy.

Relationships

Sources

Research Debt

  • Add details on GPL versions and their significance.
  • Document FSF's licensing compliance resources.
  • Add information about the Free Software Definition and its four freedoms.
  • Document relationship with SFLC and Conservancy.