What are the Free Software movement’s thoughts on a situation where some great creative innovation has come about through a Free Software approach, but the innovative concept has been taken and reconstructed by a Proprietary Software company?
The Propriety Software company’s marketing budget is huge in comparison to the humble group of coders who are passionate about the community aspect of the Free Software project. And the Free Software project falls by the wayside…
I suppose there are plenty of Free Software successes that would deny this being the case. Everyone, at heart, appreciates a community aspect and will join it if they get the chance. Nobody really wants to give their money to the Big Arch Capitalist CEO, and would happily give it to the Unselfish Folk, if they thought the Nice Guys could compete.
Is it wise to be innovative in Free Software?