[faxmeyourcode]

> If Microsoft misappropriates GPL code how exactly is that "stealing" from me, the user, of that code? I'm not deprived in any way, the author is, so I can't make sense of your premise here.

The user in this example is deprived of freedoms 1, 2, and 3 (and probably freedom 0 as well if there are terms on what machines you can run the derivative binary on).

Read more here: https://www.gnu.org/philosophy/free-sw.html

Whether or not the user values these freedoms is another thing entirely. As the software author, licensing your code under the GPL is making a conscious effort to ensure that your software is and always will be free (not just as in beer) software.