The dominant machine languages—the language compilers compile programs to so that the code can run on the silicon—are all proprietary and protected by patents.

The dominant machine languages—the language compilers compile programs to so that the code can run on the silicon—are all proprietary and protected by patents. RISC-V offers a free, open-source machine language, as well as open designs for the hardware. You can more or less download their designs for free and send them off to a factory to make high-quality processors.