"for giving/getting information on this site"
I respond with a grin...............I think most companies (especially the big ones) have no such thing as a "corporate conscience" (as in "feel remorse" for wronging someone). They therefore feel it is "better to receive than to give".

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.

I understand that both Nr Snowden and Mr Assange are in total agreement with you.

I think there are at least a few ('US Based') manufacturers who have someone 'on staff' who is tasked with reading these forums and using 'back channels' to chastise anyone who works for a dealer of their brand AND who provides help for that brand, here. I have yet to see ANY forklift manufacturer actually embrace a free flowing open social media not under their direct control.

I also am pretty sure it is somewhat like spending resources to "hold back the tide" [that seems to have worked (kind of) for the people of Holland].
"information/data becomes knowledge,
knowledge is power,
those who have power now will always try to keep that power,
until they learn that knowledge shared is knowledge multiplied by itself,
and that;
information, by it's very nature, wants to be 'free' and eventually will be 'free'.
These are not my ideas, just some I pretty much find myself in agreement about.

I can understand where you're concerns are coming from but there is absolutely nothing wrong with a bit of networking to share any useful tips, knowledge or friendly chat.

Well...
Actually I am the boss. I employ 12 very skilled people and very often I use their knowledge to share it here.

I hope they will not tick me off for doing this.
;-)

what people don't know won't hurt them....if I can get information on here FASTER than I can thru my employer then I am MORE THAN HAPPY to help out any way I can when I can...