What I mean is that a product manufacturer sells something to me and that's it. I should have complete control over it. Just like a fruit vendor can't decide on how I should eat it similarly a product manufacturer can't decide on how I want to consume a product. I am just customizing a product for me and not competing with the product manufacturer. So, I do not see anything wrong in it.
> Also, I don't see an obvious way to allow users to change your code without allowing competitors to steal your work, whether directly or indirectly.
That's a fair point but let me assert here that the onus is on the product manufacturers to do this without violating basic principles of purchasing goods. Any good once purchased is in the hands of the purchaser and he/she may choose to customize to good as per his/her needs. Of course, the purchaser should not be allowed to compete by putting up a layer on the existing platform which should be illegal or unethical. However, if he is not doing so no entity should allow to control how he wants to use it.
> If a user voluntarily chooses to buy a closed product, what's the harm? Freedom includes the right to make self-detrimental decisions.
:-) This is not an appropriate assertion. We are discussing whether a closed product should be allowed in the first place. I do not think we have come up to a conclusion as yet.
What I mean is that a product manufacturer sells something to me and that's it. I should have complete control over it. Just like a fruit vendor can't decide on how I should eat it similarly a product manufacturer can't decide on how I want to consume a product. I am just customizing a product for me and not competing with the product manufacturer. So, I do not see anything wrong in it.
> Also, I don't see an obvious way to allow users to change your code without allowing competitors to steal your work, whether directly or indirectly.
That's a fair point but let me assert here that the onus is on the product manufacturers to do this without violating basic principles of purchasing goods. Any good once purchased is in the hands of the purchaser and he/she may choose to customize to good as per his/her needs. Of course, the purchaser should not be allowed to compete by putting up a layer on the existing platform which should be illegal or unethical. However, if he is not doing so no entity should allow to control how he wants to use it.
> If a user voluntarily chooses to buy a closed product, what's the harm? Freedom includes the right to make self-detrimental decisions.
:-) This is not an appropriate assertion. We are discussing whether a closed product should be allowed in the first place. I do not think we have come up to a conclusion as yet.