There's a significant cost covered by the inventor as they carry the burden of trial and error which comes with developing something novel/pioneering. Now, in

There's a significant cost covered by the inventor as they carry the burden of trial and error which comes with developing something novel/pioneering. Now, in the bigger picture, I agree with you that sharing knowledge and innovation benefits the greater good over longer term. But the thing is, if you copy these novel inventions in secret, close up access to anyone else being able to benefit and establish trade embargoes then its more like stealing than copying. It's sort of like if Aaron Schwartz sold books to private buyers instead of open sourcing them.