Re: could matlab-mode be in ELPA or the GNU emacs tree (like auctex and org-mode)?

[dick]

UB> a matlab mode for emacs could encourage non free matlab user to switch to
UB> GNU emacs

An emacs user new to matlab seeks a matlab mode.

A matlab user new to emacs does not seek emacs.

Adding matlab-mode to ELPA would not affect these behaviors.  I would go
further and say adding packages to ELPA generally does not affect behaviors.