It literally cost billions to make any innovation in silicon, pharmaceutics, automotive etc. > That's nothing about copy-catting though. That's talking about l

It literally cost billions to make any innovation in silicon, pharmaceutics, automotive etc. > That's nothing about copy-catting though. That's talking about licensing / subcontracting just because a company doesn't want to do it's own fab work. That's totally reasonable, but it's a choice. In either case, original inventors OR licensed manufacturers, are going to have an advantage over copy-cats because they know the "thing" better. Licensing only work because you hold patents. Patents are what prevents others from copying ARM ISA. Companies can specialize in what they do best. > Never mind all the problems with overly broad patents, fear of submarine patents, etc., and all the ways patents inhibit, rather than promote, innovation. Patents can be easily invalidated if there is prior art. Patents are not what slows down innovation. Cost of human labor is the most important factor for innovation.