You are correct. The principle is the same but the analogy is faulty.
Speaking of open source philosphy, I was just reading the history of Tesla's Wydenclyffe facility on Long Island. He was (among other goals) trying to beam free energy through the air, using the earth and the atmosphere as oppositely charged conductors. JP Morgan was the primary investor. As it was coming together, he asked Nikola Tesla where the meter was going to go.
Of course, Tesla just wanted to get the electricity to the end user. Anyone with an aerial receiver could get as much as they needed, and there was no way to track who got it.
Morgan pulled his support, and talked other investors out of backing Tesla. The facility failed.