You can use free software such as Fritzing[1] to create your own shields.
There is a Fritzing Fab[2] where you can manufacture your own hardware.
For FPGA development there are attempts to write free software[3], but this
is currently limited to a blinking LED. The non-free tools need to be
replaced one by one. Many FPGA companies are fabless, so they have to sell
"Intellectual Property"[4] to be profitable, as they do not sell physical
goods. Hardware designs are licensed to Foundries, which do produce the
physical hardware.
As hardware cannot be copied, the 4 freedoms do not apply to hardware.
[1] http://fritzing.org/home/
[2] http://fab.fritzing.org/fritzing-fab
[3] https://github.com/Wolfgang-Spraul/fpgatools
[4] http://www.gnu.org/philosophy/not-ipr.html
