1 party has 100% of the information, 1 party has 0% of the information, and the burden is on the party with 0% information. That's absurd.
> The manufacturer is certainly under no obligation to support them.
Not support and bricking are two different things.
> In many states even unknowing possession of stolen goods is a crime
Generally the state has to prove the defendant took receipt of the items for an unlawful purpose. Ohio is an exception, but I'm not sure if there is another one.
> so many of the "users" here are in fact getting off lightly.
You use "many" incorrectly here: Very, very few are. Because very, very few jurisdictions make it a crime to unknowingly receive stolen property and even fewer would actually press charges even if allowed.
Your post is nonsense.