Dude you are approaching fan boy status with me. I corrected myself on another post. Even Apple users admit that Apple software is protected to an extreme. Good for viruses, bad if you want to write software for a Mac.
Google Apple vs. Adobe if you want an example. Oh, I am not on anyone’s “hook”.
"protected" in what way? Digital rights managed? No at all. Registered out the Kazoo so that it won't work if you don't kowtow Apple by doing so? Nope. Requires a serial number to operate? Only certain high end apps... but not their OS... or even most apps. So exactly WHAT do you mean by "protected"?