Free textbook
A free textbook is a textbook that can be read, used, copied, modified and redistributed without any restrictions. The word free in the term free textbook refers to freedom (liberty) and is not related to monetary cost. A free textbook is released under a free license that ensures that people will have the freedom to read, use, copy, modify, and redistribute the textbook. The notion of a free textbook derives from a more general notion called Free Cultural Work that was inspired from the definition of Free Software.
Free licenses
Often free textbooks are released under the following free licenses:
- Creative Commons Attribution
- Creative Commons Attribution Share-Alike
- GNU Free Documentation License
However, there are more[1] free licenses under what a free textbook can be released.
Authorship
For an author, choosing to put his textbook under a free license does not mean that he loses his right to be the author. If someone makes modifications of the textbook or makes a derivative work, he should provide the attribution in a proper manner. Many of these licenses are copyleft, which means that it preserves the transmission of freedom. For example, a derivative work will offer people the same freedoms as the original work does.
Restrictions used
Very often authors release their textbooks under a license that restrict, for example, the modification or commercial use. You still have the freedom to copy, redistribute and use these textbooks, but you can't modify them (for example, to translate) without the permission of the author. These restrictions are in contradiction with the Definition of Free Cultural Works or Free content, so these textbooks cannot be considered free textbooks.
Adoption
On January 25, 2012 The Utah State of Office of Education (USOE) announced that it will develop and support free textbooks, and will encourage districts and schools throughout the state to adopt these textbooks.[2]