Licenses actually mean a lot and are integral to many industries. Software isn’t traditionally regulated because society still doesn’t understand the danger of defective software.
Buildings, electronics, phones/radios, vehicles, food, medicine, and serious industries are all licensed.
Some software is dangerous, like airplanes and medical software that aids in live surgeries. But the majority of software is not dangerous. You shouldn't need to be licensed to make a video game or browser extension.
Buildings, electronics, phones/radios, vehicles, food, medicine, and serious industries are all licensed.