[Terr_]

Alternately, attack the problem from the perspective of ownership.

My refrigerator is capital equipment, I--possibly with the help of other purchasers--should be able to make it "smarter" or "dumber" as I please.

[immibis]

DMCA says no. Only large corporations are allowed to do what they please with their and your stuff.

Although, a lot of them aren't allowed to, either. The difference is they're more daring to break laws they don't like, and less likely to suffer consequences, possibly because the government sees the amount of collateral damage it would create.