The key use I see for patents is as a demonstrable unit of innovation. I can justify my team's innovation by using number of patents as a proxy to senior manage

The key use I see for patents is as a demonstrable unit of innovation. I can justify my team's innovation by using number of patents as a proxy to senior managers. "They are smart, motivated people who we can't afford to lose to a competitor on the basis of a pay rise. Look at all their patents!" Secrecy without patents is fine. I find it hard to believe that any invention will not be re-invented within 20 years, even if there is no cross-contamination of ideas or any reverse engineering.