Well, yes, hence the development of patents. "The English patent system evolved from its early medieval origins into the first modern patent system that recogn

Well, yes, hence the development of patents. "The English patent system evolved from its early medieval origins into the first modern patent system that recognised intellectual property in order to stimulate invention; this was the crucial legal foundation upon which the Industrial Revolution could emerge and flourish." ([1]Wikipedia) Without patents what you do is create trade secrets, patents publish the concepts that are protected, they are fully disclosed (or the patent is junk) and after 25 years anyone can use them. The 25 years is the time that you have to get payback on your invention - forcing investment in development now before your monopoly expires. [1] https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Patent https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Patent