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Simple English definitions for legal terms
semi-free software
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A quick definition of semi-free software:
Semi-free software is a type of software that you can use, copy, modify, and share with others for free, but you cannot see or change the code that makes it work. This software is only for non-profit purposes, which means you cannot make money from it. It is different from freeware, proprietary software, and shareware because it has some restrictions on its use.
A more thorough explanation:
Semi-free software is a type of software that does not include the source code, but individuals are allowed to use, copy, modify, and distribute the software for non-profit purposes.
Examples of semi-free software include:
- Adobe Acrobat Reader - a program used to view and print PDF files. It is free to download and use, but the source code is not available.
- WinZip - a program used to compress and decompress files. It is free to download and use, but the source code is not available.
These examples illustrate the definition of semi-free software because they are programs that can be used, copied, modified, and distributed for non-profit purposes, but the source code is not available. This means that individuals cannot see how the program works or make changes to the code.