[foxfluff]

> But the software maintainer has explicitly allowed _anyone_ to use it for free. If you don't want them to use it for free, license it as such.

I support freedom of speech too; I explicitly allow you (or anyone) to be an asshole, but if everyone is an asshole all the time, I might pick up my toys and leave.

That's right, I prefer a world where people are nice and do nice things voluntarily and out of respect / compassion / desire to suppport / etc. instead of doing things a certain way because a law or contract requires it.

And so is largely my stance on free software (and more.. music, games, etc.). I would not expect most people to pay or donate, and it would be impossible to write a license that requires it without discriminating against those who can't or just don't find it worthwhile. Free software works best when it comes with no strings attached.

However, if something I made got really popular and thousands of companies started relying on it, I'd expect to see at least some support. And if everyone just kept taking but never showed any support, it's quite possible I'd get burned out on it, especially if popularity also came with a lot of demands and entitlement. And if everyone felt entitled to just take and never give, I would also feel totally entitled to replace my own project with "thanks for all the fish" when I'm done with it.