> So patents do seem to provide a way for inventors to protect a revenue stream. Not necessarly: 1. The vast majority of patents are owned by large companies,

> So patents do seem to provide a way for inventors to protect a revenue stream. Not necessarly: 1. The vast majority of patents are owned by large companies, not the individual inventors. 2. Patents are very often used purely as "spoilers", i.e. preventing other companies, and even more so individuals, from working in a close enough field to the holding company's, so as not to risk patent litigation.