Sure, it can lead to poor outcomes. But 1) patents aren't easy things to apply for. The paperwork is exceptional, even if you're used to civil servant paperwor

Sure, it can lead to poor outcomes. But 1) patents aren't easy things to apply for. The paperwork is exceptional, even if you're used to civil servant paperwork. And nobody is helping you. There's no administrative staff to do the application, so it all falls on the scientist. Therefore, if you want your scientists to patent things there has to be some incentive; 2) the bonus isn't very large.