I would argue that this question: "Is ISO 32000-2:2017 (pdf-2.0) non-free and non-open format?" is off-topic because it's not "about computer software within the scope defined in the help center".
I would agree that a question, asking if a specific ISO standard, is a paid non-open format is out of scope. There are multiple reasons for that conclusion.
The first reason is that people will disagree with the definition of "non-free" and "non-open", so you are going to get multiple competing answers. While that by itself isn't a bad thing, there is a possibility, they will contradict one another. In other words, the question as it's currently written is going to encourage highly opinionated answers.
The second reason is that the author has stated a good deal of opinion in their own question, due to the way the question is currently written. It is extremely negative towards the standard they are asking about. While a little option is welcome, the question is written in such a way, where they already expect an answer to validate their opinion about the standard. When questions are written in such a way, they encourage answers written in the same tone, and those answers are often highly opinionated.
However, I do believe this question could be improved, so it was on-topic. However, any changes I would make would change the ton and the words the author used. The improvements would have to come from the author, narrowing down their question, into a very specific focus. It would have to be about the current license itself.
I think saw similar questions in the past that have been closed or moved to other communities for the very reason.
Finding similar questions closed, is a good guide, to determine if something is out of scope. However, not every question that is out of scope, is actually closed. So everyone must do their part in identifying if a question is out of scope, by voting to close the question, or flagging the question for moderator attention.
Should I vote to close or am I completely off track here?
The question currently has a bounty, one that was recently offered, so only a moderator can close the question by invalidating the bounty. This is only done when a bounty is offered on a question, that would otherwise be closed by the community, and is an exception to the rule with regards to bounties not being refunded.
And if so why?
You should flag the question for a moderator's attention, for the reasons you indicated, this is the reason we have moderators. If the question didn't have a bounty, I would say vote to close the question or flag it to be closed. If the community didn't agree with you, then the question remains open, if the community does agree with you then the question is closed.
Either way, the proper course of action will happen, which is something everyone wants.
