That's only really possible when there's a company behind it. It's much harder to buy out a whole OSS project, the only real option is to buy out the main contributors.
This is exactly the situation in the realm of ASICs. Patent situation is a fucking minefield, so whenever a startup arises, the oligopoly smashes it to pieces and then buys out. This was actually the same for compiler technology (remember shitheads Borland?) and it was only pushed back by a large community and social traction. Unfortunately the realm of engineers (electrical, mechanical) is MUCH smaller to gain such traction to change things. So the situation is quite hopeless.