I guess someone needs to pay all the engineers that develop these standards
As has been pointed out several times in this thread, the people developing these standards are not paid in any way by the organization publishing and selling the standards. On the whole they're paid by the companies or universities they already work for and develop these standards as part of their work duties.
Okay, then how about the people working in the company publishing the specs, there are lectors, editors, people who actually write the documentation so that it's readable, proof-readers, etc. and THEY need to be paid.
As has been pointed out several times in this thread, the people developing these standards are not paid in any way by the organization publishing and selling the standards. On the whole they're paid by the companies or universities they already work for and develop these standards as part of their work duties.