Open source software is software that allows the source code to be used. Oftentimes, they are free to use. Open source software is copyrighted.

no....because an open source software is distributed for free

Often, Open Source software is provided free of charge. But always check.

Software that can be downloaded free and legally are:

1: Open Source software (Though not all software that is open source is free)

2: Freeware

3: Shareware

4: Software trials

Free software is software that makes few or no restrictions on what you can do with it or the source code. According to the Free Software Foundation, in order for software to be considered "free", it must:

* Allow use of the program for any purpose. * Have the source code available, to see how it works and change it. * Allow you to distribute unmodified copies of the software * Allow you to modify and release the changes to the program.

"Open-source" software only needs to meet the second criteria. Software can have it's source available, but forbid you to release it commercially, or release modified copies of the binaries / source.