I am assuming that you all reading these messages are also against the music industry lawsuits? Why are they taking legal action against all of these people "stealing" their property? I look at it from a different perspective...If I were to invent something or write a #1 song I would try my hardest to protect it. Does it make you a bully for trying to do this? Yes, NI has taken legal action against other companies but what would you rather have them do? Sit back and let this happen? Let people take from the ideas and claim them as their own?
graphical programming does not have to be anything like LabVIEW. Its all about paradigm paralysis. We see whats working and try to build off it. That can be tough and that will often cause problems. When the inventors of LabVIEW came up with idea it was a shift from the paradigm of text-based programming. I'm sure in the future some intelligent 12 yr old will develop the future of programming. And it will probably be without "wires."
I am defenitely against frivelous lawsuits, but I am a firm believer in an owner receiving all credit for his creation....If I build my product X, why should I license it out if it doesn't benefit me? If its mine, I'll do with it what I please and protect it all costs.