GNU GPL - It's Liberal, not Free
(from Core Project)
Instead of introducing a new terminology, GNU goes the way to redefine "free" in context of "Free Software" - creating this way the foundation for many misunderstandings.
Commercial Software
A commercial distribution of software has the main goal of making profit. The commercial vendor does not hand out source codes, at least not with strong contracts like NDA's (non disclosure agreement).
The above can be different is several cases. But the general understanding and the general practice is like described.
Free Software
The general understanding of the word "free" in "Free Software" is as the word "free" in "Free Ticket".
"free" in context of a product is generally understood as "free of charge".
Liberal Ticket
What is this? - This is something that most people do not understand immediately. It is something new, something different from a commonly known "Free Ticket".
Explanations could clarify now: What is this new "Liberal Ticket"? What are the differences to a "Free Ticket"?
Liberal Software
Liberal Software is something different from "Free Software".
Explanations could clarify now: What is this new "Liberal Software"? What are the differences to "Free Software"?
The GNU Redefinition of "Free"
When GNU talks about "Free Software", it means basically something like "Liberal Software". Instead of introducing a new terminology, GNU goes the way to redefine "free" in context of "Free Software" - creating this way the foundation for many misunderstandings.
New ideas and new ways of thinking require sometimes the use of new terminology. Redefining terminology which is generally understood in a different way can lead to delayed recognition of new constructs.