Only in the same way that Tom Clancey's competitors can take advantage of reading his books.
Not true. My source embodies my understanding of the problem. My understanding may be different to your understanding. By reading my source you might obtain a more enlightened view of the problem. You may then be able to write code that doesn't violate my copyright but does make you my competitor.
For example, some APIs are difficult to understand. Reading good quality source that uses those APIs well is often the fastest way to understand the correct usage of the API. If it cost me X months to obtain that understanding the "hard way" it may only take you Y weeks to obtain a similar level of understanding by reading my code and "standing on my shoulders". You may then use that API in your code in a much more effective way (without violating my copyright in any way). I may not wish to give up my commercial advantage by opening my source to you.
Personally I think it would be great to spread this hard won knowledge in this way, and I do so as often as I can, but it can't apply in all situations and I'm not sure that it can apply if you want to make money from the knowledge.
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Only in the same way that Tom Clancey's competitors can take advantage of reading his books.
Not true. My source embodies my understanding of the problem. My understanding may be different to your understanding. By reading my source you might obtain a more enlightened view of the problem. You may then be able to write code that doesn't violate my copyright but does make you my competitor.
For example, some APIs are difficult to understand. Reading good quality source that uses those APIs well is often the fastest way to understand the correct usage of the API. If it cost me X months to obtain that understanding the "hard way" it may only take you Y weeks to obtain a similar level of understanding by reading my code and "standing on my shoulders". You may then use that API in your code in a much more effective way (without violating my copyright in any way). I may not wish to give up my commercial advantage by opening my source to you.
Personally I think it would be great to spread this hard won knowledge in this way, and I do so as often as I can, but it can't apply in all situations and I'm not sure that it can apply if you want to make money from the knowledge.