Showing those quotes from my comment might make one think I disagree but that is what I'm also saying, that the current conditions are met by the chain logic for decentralization and change openness.
With that in mind indeed the question is: "Why is there a specific need of a licence?". Yes the Steem(it) logo and website can be claimed as IP, but is there really a need of a licence agreement and limitation for the Steem blockchain technology? Who is the holder of the Steem chain licence? Steemit Inc. or the Witnesses or the stakeholders(Steem-holders)?
We also have to agree that even though the conditions are met in the code, the reality is that the stake is unbalanced and we aren't there in terms of decentralization. If the licence for the Steem blockchain is in the hands of the stakeholders and witnesses, then currently Steemit Inc. is the owner and beneficiary of the licence.
All in all, this whole licence thing might have been put in place way ahead of it's time and maybe out of fear that Dan could have built a spin-off that responded to a certain crowd's wishes.