Apple originally wanted other Unix-likes to consider launchd. Ubuntu was considering it and I think even had it briefly as an option, but ultimately they decide

Apple originally wanted other Unix-likes to consider launchd. Ubuntu was considering it and I think even had it briefly as an option, but ultimately they decided to go with Upstart. This was mostly because the original license terms for launchd were deemed too restrictive (Apple Open Source License had some extra terms that were somewhat unpopular). Apple changed the license terms a year or two later, but it was too late. I would love to see this on BSD though.