intellectual property, Royalties, patents

You built a closed source program. You sell it. That's fine.
if (you are big enough) then
uCall (Patents, Royalties, I.Rights etc)
 else
uCall (tough.luck)
endif

I design a system (hw, sw, layouts, procedures, policies etc). I get a fee to implement the solution to a customer. That's fine
BUT
Shouldn't everybody thats using my solution, pay me a fee?
Just Like
the RIAA or whomever is charging bars, hotels, gathering places in general?
I (honest to god) call myself an artist. Thats what I do. My notes, and colors are of a different pallet. Its bits and bytes and ingenuity. Still, its an original art form, to me, more original that many sculptures, paintings, musical pieces and acting performances.

I have a feeling that someone is exploiting my work for too long, and I dont get the money that I should for my contribution. My art form is actually producing money. And many may visit my installations and adore its functionality and design. Its not a matter of luxury and/or education. Its hard cash right on the spot. I demand my payment immediately in gold sovereign only (because of the crisis). Thanx!

ps Looks like I'm part of the ELSE statement
ps2 there are zillions of artists, a few get royalties. There are millions of engineers, non of them gets any, no matter how deep you look at the patent industry. The corps are getting everything. Its like the elephant in the room (they), but we get the peanuts. Think about it.