5.5 What does the stable directory contain?

• stable/main/: This directory contains the packages which formally constitute the most recent release of the Debian GNU/Linux system.

  These packages all comply with the Debian Free Software Guidelines, and are all freely usable and distributable.

• stable/non-free/: This directory contains packages distribution of which is restricted in a way that requires that distributors take careful account of the specified copyright requirements.

  For example, some packages have licenses which prohibit commercial distribution. Others can be redistributed but are in fact shareware and not freeware. The licenses of each of these packages must be studied, and possibly negotiated, before the packages are included in any redistribution (e.g., in a CD-ROM).

• stable/contrib/: This directory contains packages which are DFSG-free and freely distributable themselves, but somehow depend on a package that is not freely distributable and thus available only in the non-free section.