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GNU Operating SystemThanks to your support, 2015 marks 30 years of the FSF! In the next 30 years, we want to do even more to defend computer user rights. To kick off in that direction, we're setting our highest-ever fundraising goal of $525,000 by January 31st. Read more.
Exceptions to GNU Licenses
Autoconf Configure Script Exception
The purpose of this exception is to allow distribution of Autoconf's typical output under terms of the recipient's choice (including proprietary). This is necessary because Autoconf includes some of its own code—which would otherwise be licensed under GPLv3—in its output.
GCC Runtime Library Exception
The purpose of this exception is to allow developers to compile non-GPLed software with GCC, as long as they don't use proprietary plugins or other extensions to the compiler. An additional permission is needed for this because GCC normally includes some GPLed code in the binaries it creates.
URLs
When linking to the exceptions of GNU licenses, it's usually best to link to the latest version; hence the standard URLs such as http://www.gnu.org/licenses/gcc-exception.html have no version number. Occasionally, however, you may want to link to a specific version of a given license exception. In those situations, you can use the following links:
- Autoconf Configure Script Exception
- Autoconf Configure Script Exception v3.0
- GCC Runtime Library Exception
- GCC RLE v3.1, GCC RLE v3
Unofficial Translations
“Our mission is to preserve, protect and promote the freedom to use, study, copy, modify, and redistribute computer software, and to defend the rights of Free Software users.”
The Free Software Foundation is the principal organizational sponsor of the GNU Operating System. Support GNU and the FSF by buying manuals and gear, joining the FSF as an associate member, or making a donation, either directly to the FSF or via Flattr.