I agree that it's nuanced. I think the question should be rephrased to "When do patents kill innovation". And the answer is that it happens when a new field ope

I agree that it's nuanced. I think the question should be rephrased to "When do patents kill innovation". And the answer is that it happens when a new field opens up and the long hanging fruit is locked away for longer than the innovation merits. The reward should be, if not in perfect proportion, at least in rough proportion to the r&d work done.