Fr. Wayne, along that logic, the contractor who constructed your house retains the right to enter at will, though perhaps not to raid the fridge.

No, patent holders most definitely do not, and have never held any special right to snoop on the users of "their" product. That's not to say they don't try to assert such rights, but those attempts rarely stand up in court, when challenged.

__________________
And you, to whom adversity has dealt the final blow
With smiling [faces] lyin' to ye' everywhere ye' go
Turn to, and put out all your strength of arm and heart and brain
And like the Mary Ellen Carter, rise again.