In a world where the most important computer networks and a substantial number of devices connecting to them run on free, open source software, the user's hardw

In a world where the most important computer networks and a substantial number of devices connecting to them run on free, open source software, the user's hardware needs are simple: 1. it must work with an open source bootloader and 2. there must be some open source drivers for it. But those are actually software needs, so how is it that hardware companies are allowed to dictate the outcome of the above two points? How are they allowed under the law to create intentional incompatibilities? Can other companies reverse engineer in order to write free, open source software? Does anyone ever violate an NDA and win? The benefits of inoperability are undeniable. These issues were ripe in the 1980's and are still very relevant today. The discussion of the IBM PC BIOS in this thread is worth reading.