The Importance of

JavaScript that Respects

Your Freedoms It occurred to me that when we announce ease.js it would be a good occasion to post something about the importance of making JavaScript code free. —Richard Stallman

GNU ease.js provides a set of unmatched and desirable features under a copyleft license, which encourages developers to release their own code under a compatible free software license. But not everyone may understand why this decision—and the urging of free (as in freedom) JavaScript—are so fundamentally vital to the future of a free and cooperative Internet that is accessible to everyone, regardless of whether they exclusively use free software.

We need your help to protect the fundamental freedoms of Internet users. This brief essay is an appeal to developers to develop free software for the Web; it is heavily influenced by Richard Stallman's article The JavaScript Trap—which you should also read—and has been written with his input. If you already write free JavaScript, then thank you.