Here's an anecdote. I am affected by software patent. One of the well known optimization techniques in the product area that I'm working on has been patented

Here's an anecdote. I am affected by software patent. One of the well known optimization techniques in the product area that I'm working on has been patented and bought by a big corporation. The situation is kind of murky since there are similar techniques published by academics. That big corporation has sued anyway and won large settlement from other companies. For my product, I have to forgo implementing the technique. It defines a feature not the product but it's a competitive advantage.