"in some cases they're practically forced to do it, unless they want to risk someone else doing it first." Incorrect. Publicizing something constitutes prior a

"in some cases they're practically forced to do it, unless they want to risk someone else doing it first." Incorrect. Publicizing something constitutes prior art, rendering any subsequent patents on that void, eliminating the risk of 'someone else doing it first'. The only way to use patents defensively is as ammo for counter-suits.