> [Possibility #1:] Patents in fact do encourage innovation (at least in some industries) by allowing innovators to recoup their R&D costs before the copiers ca

> [Possibility #1:] Patents in fact do encourage innovation (at least in some industries) by allowing innovators to recoup their R&D costs before the copiers can jump in. One problem is that patent law reflects a one-size-fits-all philosophy: It takes years, and lots of money, to get a patent, but if you do you've got it for 20 years from the filing date, regardless whether you want or need it for that long. I once argued that the Patent and Trademark Office (USPTO) could change this, without congressional action, but nothing ever came of it. [1] [1] http://www.ontechnologylaw.com/docs/JPTOS-Reenginering-the-Patent-Examination-Process-printed-pdf.pdf http://www.ontechnologylaw.com/docs/JPTOS-Reenginering-the-P...