[dllthomas]

> Any time someone creates a proprietary computer program it restricts everyone's ability to freely interact with it.

That depends on what the alternative was. Any time someone creates a proprietary computer program, there are restrictions on how it is used - that's what proprietary means - but a situation of a proprietary program existing is less constrained than a situation of no program existing: you still have the option to not use that kind of program or write a free one but now you also have the option to use the proprietary one. Where constraints are created is the choice to release the given program as non-FOSS.

[gnaritas]

You may not be able to write a free one if the proprietary version has patents you'd infringe upon. The existence of the proprietary version can preclude other options being legal.