Welcome to the GNU Project web server. The GNU Project was launched in 1984 to develop a complete UNIX like operating system which is free software: the GNU system, (GNU is a recursive acronym for “GNU's Not UNIX”; it is pronounced “guh-noo,” “noo” being like the American “new”). Variants of the GNU operating system, which use the kernel Linux, are now widely used; though these systems are often referred to as “Linux”, they are more accurately called GNU/Linux systems.

The Free Software Foundation (FSF) is the principal organizational sponsor of the GNU Project. FSF receives very little funding from corporations or grant-making foundations, but rely on support from individuals like you. Please consider helping the FSF in one of the ways described under Help FSF! (in the navigation bar).

We support the FSF's mission 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. We support the freedoms of speech, press, and association on the Internet, the right to use encryption software for private communication, and the right to write software unimpeded by private monopolies.

GNUs Flashes

Listen to RMS interviewed on the GNU/Linux User Show in OGG format.

The European Parliament has voted (648 to 14) against an attempt to impose software patents in Europe!

Richard Stallman's article Patent Absurdity, calling on the European Parliament to reject rules allowing software patents, appears in the Guardian.

For other news, as well as for items that used to be in this GNUs Flashes section, see What's New in and about the GNU Project.

Take Action

• Long-term contribution: Contribute to these high priority projects: 3D driver for ATI graphics cards, OpenOffice.org 2.0 with Classpath, GPLFlash, GNU Compiler for Java, and GNU Classpath.
• US citizens: Support Public Knowledge against the "broadcast flag"
• World wide: Call on WIPO to change its name and mission.
• World wide: Raise awareness of dangers of WIPO Broadcast Treaty.
• In Europe: Fight against software patents.
• US citizens: Sign petitions against software patents and the DMCA.
• Long-term contribution: Add to the Free Software Directory.

Other Action Items