Don't be mad at Apple, be mad at the patent office . . .

A lot of discussion on HN in the last few days has made it seem like Apple is in the wrong for trying to defend their patents. This, however, is exactly what patents are for. Take a look at this list of items that they are attempting to defend: http://www.businessinsider.com/the-20-patents-apple-hopes-will-crush-its-smartphone-competition-2010-3 Everything in there is an important innovation, for which Apple has enjoyed a lead time but the purpose of a patent is that no other company may use the innovation without permission and/or licensing fees. All that said, I am suprised that there is so much negativity towards Apple, even from PG, rather than at the patent office which we all know ain't working . . . Every large-cap business is respinsible to their shareholders to defend their IP - Google, Yahoo, Facebook, Amazon, Netflix, Amazon, etc, etc all employee mills full of attorneys to manage and defend their patents, why should Apple be held to a different standard?