Legal Definitions - semi-free software

Semi-free software refers to computer programs that users are permitted to use, copy, modify, and distribute, but only for purposes that do not generate profit. A key characteristic is that while users have these freedoms for non-commercial use, the underlying source code (the human-readable programming instructions) is typically not provided. This means users can adapt the software for their non-commercial needs, such as by configuring it or creating extensions, but cannot directly inspect or alter its fundamental programming code.

Here are some examples to illustrate this concept:

• University Research Lab: A university's physics department acquires a specialized data analysis program for its graduate students. The software's license explicitly states that it can be used, copied, and modified by academic institutions for non-commercial research and educational purposes. Students are allowed to install it on their personal computers for coursework and even develop custom scripts that interact with the software to enhance their research. However, the license strictly prohibits using the software for any commercial ventures or distributing it to for-profit companies.

  This is an example of semi-free software because the university and its students have broad permissions (use, copy, modify, distribute) for their educational and research activities, which are non-profit. The restriction against commercial use is the defining "semi-free" characteristic, even though the source code itself is not provided.

• Community Art Project: A local non-profit organization running a community art workshop wants to use a unique digital painting application. The software developer offers a "community edition" license that allows any registered non-profit group or individual hobbyist to download, install, customize settings, and share the application with other non-profits or hobbyists, provided it's used solely for non-commercial creative endeavors. The organization customizes the brush presets and shares their configuration files with other community art centers.

  This scenario demonstrates semi-free software because the non-profit organization is granted permission to use, copy, modify (through customization), and distribute the software, but only within the scope of its non-profit mission. If the organization were to use the software to create artwork for sale or license it to a commercial design studio, it would violate the terms of the license.

• Personal Genealogy Software: An individual passionate about tracing their family history finds a powerful genealogy program online. The software's creator allows users to download, install, and modify the program (e.g., by adding new data fields or creating custom reports) for personal, non-commercial use. Users are also permitted to share the software with family members or other hobby genealogists. However, the license forbids using the software to offer professional genealogy research services for a fee or selling any modified versions.

  This illustrates semi-free software because the individual has significant freedoms to use, copy, modify, and distribute the program, but these permissions are strictly limited to personal and non-profit activities. The prohibition on commercial exploitation is what makes it "semi-free," distinguishing it from fully open-source software or proprietary commercial products.