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egos

Maybe they're not the leaders who could bring long-term success to an organization then.

license

Yes, you are right. Here is the copyright.
(I didn't want to use "license" because it doesn't rhymes, lol.) This license makes hard to release just a new currency with the same code. They would have to contact Steemit, inc. if they'd want to start a new blockchain. So they'd do better if they just integrate Steem.
It takes courage as well.

Actually it is possible to fork the Steem blockchain, even with creation of a new Genesis block. The MIT license is one of the least prohibitive licenses available and pro-open source forking.

But that would defeat the purpose of having a love child and Medium would have to do it all over, there where STEEM (the token) already has value.

Medium is obviously the prime candidate for SMT adoption/integration but @stellabelle’s post is all about not having to create a new token (find investors and build token value) and run with STEEM as main currency.

One important element, struggle here could be that Medium is heavily VC funded and its boardroom may block such move.

Back in the days they didn't use the MIT license. We was very happy when they finally switch to it. :)