LIBRE

Libre is a term used to describe software, content, and hardware that is designed to preserve users’ freedoms. In this usage, libre emphasizes freedom rather than price, distinguishing liberty from gratis. The concept is central to the software libre movement and to licensing that guarantees the four essential freedoms: the freedom to run the program for any purpose; the freedom to study how the program works, and to adapt it to your needs; the freedom to redistribute copies; and the freedom to distribute modified versions of the program.

Libre licenses may be copyleft, which requires derivative works to carry the same freedoms, or permissive, which imposes fewer restrictions on redistribution. Notable libre licenses include the GNU General Public License (GPL), the GNU Affero GPL (AGPL), the MIT License, and the BSD licenses. The term also extends to libre content, meaning works released under licenses that guarantee similar freedoms, and to libre hardware, referring to designs that can be freely studied, modified, and built.

Terminology varies by language and tradition. “Software libre” or “libre software” is common in Spanish- and French-speaking communities, while “free software” is more common in English contexts. The core idea shared across these usages is user freedom and community collaboration, rather than price. Libre has influenced ideas around open science, education, and digital rights, contributing to ecosystems that prioritize transparency, interoperability, and user autonomy.