fsf-classified-llama31-nonfree-jan-2025

IN premise — summaries/2026/08/24/wiki-LLaMA-chunk-2.md

Created 2026-08-24T17:11:14+00:00

The Free Software Foundation classified Llama 3.1's license as nonfree software in January 2025, specifically citing its acceptable use policy, restrictions on users with popular applications, and enforcement of trade regulations outside the user's jurisdiction.

Summary

Meta's Llama 3.1 model, despite being widely called "open," does not qualify as free software under the FSF's definition because its license limits who can use it, what they can build with it, and subjects users to regulations outside their own country. This means any system or policy that requires fully free and open licensing cannot treat Llama 3.1 as a compliant dependency.