For the most part you need to have purchased the right kind of tools to create Flash software, or acquired a license to the Flash server technology.

As well, to the best of my knowledge, no one besides Adobe can change the underlying Flash spec, so I would completely disagree with your assertion.

You disagree with my assertion that everyone can publish Flash apps because you cannot change the Flash spec and you have to pay for Adobe's tools if you choose to use them? I don't get your logic.

Even if I had to pay Adobe to create or publish Flash apps, which is not the case, they wouldn't be able to censor me. Big difference for me.