> Is that what you meant, that if I can give Apple a receipt then I am the de facto owner no matter what? Or am I just way off base?

That's currently how it works. Except for OP of course.

I personally think that a better tactic would be to create a separate device that is paired to the machine, comes in the box, and can bypass activation lock. This would layer nicely on top of the existing system without forcing rigorous document management and an appeal to an opaque system of power to exercise true ownership over your own computer.