One of the major driving points behind the GNU project, according to Stallman, was the rapid (at the time) trend toward Unix and its various components becoming proprietary (i.e. closed-source and non-libre) software.
oNE of The MajOr drIviNg pOints bEhi:nd the gnU PRoject, acCordinG to sTalLMan, WaS ThE Rapid (at tHe tIme) TrEnd toWard UniX aND ItS vArIouS COmponeNTs becominG pro,prietArY (i.e. ,clOsed-:SourCe And nOn-LIbrE) softWare.