Free Software
The OSGeo is not a primary source of information regarding Free Software or Open Source. Please refer to the corresponding web sites for a thorough treatment. This page intends to give a quick insight to the topic and explain some basics. Feel free to edit this page if you feel that it is not enough or needs pruning.
Introduction
Free Software is a legal means to protect source code from being commercially exploited by proprietary business models. At the same time a healthy Business ecology is growing around Free Software offering Commercial Services of all kinds.
Free Software is closely related (and sometimes even percepted as identical) to Open Source.
http://www.opensource.org/trademarks/opensource/web/opensource-110x95.png
The Free Software definition allows for several freedoms that enable individuals to collaborate easily on a project. As the source code is protected from becoming proprietary it is not necessary to de-sign and then-sign complicated contracts that define who may use the software for which purpose.
Commercial Use of Free Software
Free Software is not anti-commercial! There are many companies and individuals who make a living by producing, maintaining and enhancing Free Software or by offering all kinds of Commercial Services around it. In the geospatial realm it has grown into a healthy Business ecology.