To be honest it has always been this way. Especially when we were talking about "Free Software", and open source was in part a way that it was free as in freedom, not free as in doesn't cost anything.

Of course the term open source didn't change anything, because if you look at the definition of open source, you're allowed to share it so obviously you'll be able to get a copy for free.

And uesst what, not having to pay is such a big difference that's what people remember.