I can't think of a single patent in software that actually had a positive impact on the industry. Copyright provides enough protection for any actual investment

I can't think of a single patent in software that actually had a positive impact on the industry. Copyright provides enough protection for any actual investment in software. Other industries where R&D cost is high and the end result can be very compact (a chemical formula, a new material, etc.) can benefit from patents, but that R&D cost needs to be verifiable and substantial.