Good point,,, to a point.
I think (and hope) where we may differ is in how we (me, vs Mr Assange and Snowden) recognize where 'power' exists...
I agree that the manufacturers and govco have the power to enforce their will and current IP law over me... and recognize that publicly stating these ideals and concepts more than likely makes me very unpopular with manufacturers and their reps, should they ever see it. (and they just might).
I (hopefully very quickly) acquiesce to the rightful ownership of intellectual property as recognized by the courts where I reside.
I too have had -my- intellectual property misappropriated, and think I have a pretty reasonable understanding of how IP law works in the USA, (which IMHO is broken, but that is a different discussion and I digress) from a "victim's" view.