In the presence of free software, the assumption that revenue comes from control over licenses is not true, and software is no longer an asset for which the control thereof is highly valuable. This changes the sorts of organizational structures that can grow up around computer software.
Free software enhances the ability of software to be widely supported and deployed.
It likely enhances the ability of service-oriented organizations to thrive. I suggest that these are good questions to ask about free software, and in particular about its effects on organizations. If the software is well-regarded, this reflects well on the original producer. If someone wants to do an port of Erlang to some obscure platform, this doesn't require special licensing arrangements and trade secret arrangements. This may result in the growth of people outside Eriksson that understand and use it.