In the decades following John von Neumann's significant contribution with his "Draft Report" on the EDVAC, the computing landscape has shifted increasingly towards proprietary practices. This contrasts sharply with the earlier days of open collaboration and sharing in the tech community. The transition towards protecting intellectual property has implications for innovation and accessibility in the field.

A striking illustration of this trend occurred in 2011, when it was reported that tech giants Apple and Google prioritized spending on legal battles over patent disputes rather than investing in research and development. This shift raises concerns about the prioritization of profitability and protectionism over creative advancements and collaboration in technology.