Exactly. Reverse engineering to better understand how to design and manufacture a competing product with very different mechanics is ok. But there are cars in china that are one for one copies of major brands. They’re everywhere.

There are many software product licenses forbidding reverse engineering, and I'm seeing more user-hostile reverse engineering efforts in products in general, both in design, implementation, and legal realms. Unless reverse engineering is encoded into protected status in law, it will be extinguished through commercial avenues.

I just think “culture” is a strong word to be used in that situation. I guess I believe it’s human to act like that and it depends on your competitive situation how you view the rightfulness of it