in the long run probably not, but the status quo has been very busy trying, and they still are. most of the legal code is about property, they already brainwashed the planet to consider intellectual property the same as physical property, and intellectual property has in some places gotten the harshest punishments of all. if at some point they realize it's getting out of their control ... i see very bad stuff happening.
on a private scale, yes, as long as it doesn't hurt any privileges. and of course there is also the open source hardware movement. i have no doubt they'll crack down on that if needed. the thing is, it probably isn't: so you can print your own flower pot or chair? cool. consumer hardware is getting more and more sophisticated, and even with the knowledge it's next to impossible to get things done in genetics, nano tech, etc., which are the big deal in the future, unless you have specialized infrastructure. my point is, there will always be barriers, natural or artificial.
and china ... well, that's "illegal". they're getting away with it because they currently own the biggest planetary reserve of usd. hail our new overlords!
you want to 3d print a new JavaScript? that's not how it works ... [haha]
