There are two differences:<p>1. These are generally hardware drivers rather than generic software. If your computer comes without a text editor, anyone can provide your with one for whatever price they decide. If your oscilloscope comes without an I2C decoder, no-one else can add it.<p>2. Usually the software is used to cripple the device and then you pay to <i>remove</i> it. For example on oscilloscopes they use a software low-pass filter to limit its maximum frequency. You can pay to have it removed.