I have worked on a special software project for several hours a day, nearly 365 days a year, for several years. It has dominated my life and my creative effort

I have worked on a special software project for several hours a day, nearly 365 days a year, for several years. It has dominated my life and my creative efforts. The result is something very different in a field where everyone does the same thing. The problem is it would be easy to copy once I demonstrate commercial success, and the field is dominated by major players. If I launch and am successful, they will copy me, and I have no hope of successfully competing against such competition. I understand it's almost impossible for a small player to defend a patent. It's too expensive and the outcome is uncertain. My only hope is to get provisional patents and develop the business to where I can sell out before my patents are challenged in court. So, yes I approve of software patents held by those who make use of them as opposed to patent trolls with no products of their own. Actually using them however is dicey.