The English adjective free is commonly used in one of two meanings: "at
no monetary cost" ( gratis ) and "with little or no restriction" ( libre
). This ambiguity of free can cause issues where the distinction is
important, as it often is in dealing with laws concerning the use of
information, such as copyright and patents.
The terms gratis and libre may be used to categorise intellectual
property, particularly computer programs, according to the licenses and legal
restrictions that cover them, in the free software and open source
communities, as well as the broader free culture movement.