>Very relevant is the phenomenon of simultaneous invention (which if correct throws serious doubt on the usefulness of patents) Does it? The basic argument rem

>Very relevant is the phenomenon of simultaneous invention (which if correct throws serious doubt on the usefulness of patents) Does it? The basic argument remains the same, the need to make it worth the initial effort of research and development. Just because more than one inventor decided that the expenditure of time and effort was worth the return from the patent doesn't change the argument that no one would have bothered/financed it to begin with if not for the patents.