MINIX and BSD were already free. More free tools would crop up, just like free Windows tools abounded since their inception, like the hobbyist software that was

MINIX and BSD were already free. More free tools would crop up, just like free Windows tools abounded since their inception, like the hobbyist software that was traded for free before that. Nerds who just like making software would always have kept giving it away for free, because they just like the fact that they can and it's fun to do. It didn't change the world that much. Nearly every company that makes internal software refuses to release it for free. They'll happily use whatever you give them for free, of course. But even if it weren't around for free, they'd just pay for something else. Most people would probably use Android as the example of the "revolution" paying off, but before Android everyone just paid to license mobile OSes, and they will again when Android eventually dies. Business does not care about the morality of a license, nor sharing code. You pay for what you need when you need to, don't pay for what you don't need to, and pass the cost on to the customer. Simple as that.