Why can't Scribus look and feel more like other DTP apps?

Here is something from Scribus list. The question was this:

''I even think some guy with money & lawyers was claiming a patent on what's generally called a "task progress bar". (Wonder where that case is now?).''

If that falls through, we wouldn't have the right to see things like:
 * 1) Completed: ---* 70%

''It amazes me that look and feel - ONLY- applies to computer software. Cars and each of their components, fridges, tv's, cranes, bulldozers, lawnmowers, toasters, injection molding machines, shovels, rakes, in fact most of the things used in life have virtually identical "Look and Feel" to their competitor's offerings yet competition abounds. But the UI of software -- oh no! thats a patent issue. I'd love an explanation of how antidiscrimnination and anticompetition meets look and feel.''

And here's the response: