I think a lot of open source projects aren't made open source by choice but by necessity. Sometimes making a product open source is the only way for it to gain any adoption at all.
The author is focused on a tiny number of elite open source projects. They are not representative of the vast majority of open source projects.
Some companies have the right business and/or government connections and they can easily sell lucrative licenses for their products but they are a minority. Most people and small businesses do not have that kind of network. Without the right business network, you will struggle to earn any money at all. It doesn't matter how good your product is or how much money it could save someone. Nobody will believe you, nobody will even try it out. The adoption hurdle is too big, even if the long term benefits could be massive.
Making a product open source is the only way to get your toe in the door because it gives you a tiny chance of having your product noticed and that's really all that matters sometimes.
The author is focused on a tiny number of elite open source projects. They are not representative of the vast majority of open source projects.
Some companies have the right business and/or government connections and they can easily sell lucrative licenses for their products but they are a minority. Most people and small businesses do not have that kind of network. Without the right business network, you will struggle to earn any money at all. It doesn't matter how good your product is or how much money it could save someone. Nobody will believe you, nobody will even try it out. The adoption hurdle is too big, even if the long term benefits could be massive.
Making a product open source is the only way to get your toe in the door because it gives you a tiny chance of having your product noticed and that's really all that matters sometimes.