Nicely done browser based but fully local way to look at Kobo highlights and annotations. Downloads in both markdown and text.
Via Adri Mathlener at Digitale Fitheid community who pointed to Rob Hoeij's https://robhoeij.nl/een-betere-manier-om-kobo-notities-en-markeringen-te-exporteren/
Greg Morris with useful / working description of how to export annotations from my Kobo device (by default, Kobo only syncs annotations from books bought at Kobo platform to your account, not from sideloaded books). Edited the Kobo settings and then was able to export annotations. They do not contain the location for an annotation, so you're referencing is 'blind'. Also mentions a Calibre plugin for annotations I have not tried yet.
technology companies have made it work that way. Ebook stores from Amazon, Apple, Google, Kobo, Barnes and Noble all follow broadly the same rules. You’re buying a licence to read, not a licence to own.
Bear in mind that this "ownership" is common practice with Amazon, Apple, Google, Kobo, Barnes and Noble, and other ones as well.
It's not this way with non-DRM books, that you can download, and reuse as with physical books.