software <> inventions

That's what opensource people say. I'm just curious about what they have to say about R&D of algorithms. How can a company who specializes in say creating efficient algorithms for physical and mathematical modelling still secure a profit while still making it's finds available to everyone? In such a senior I don't see how software <> invention.

Just reflecting on the opensource model....

int politicians = 90;
politicians <<= 8;
int pelicans = 21;
pelicans ^= (politicians >> 3);

if (pelicans % politicians == 0)
    printf("%d", pelicans | politicians);