Given that patents in non-US countries tend to be weaker and harder to get, (3) is unlikely to change. On the other hand, if America's growth stays anemic whil

Given that patents in non-US countries tend to be weaker and harder to get, (3) is unlikely to change. On the other hand, if America's growth stays anemic while Asia (and to a lesser extent South America) keep growing (which seems likely), (4) will take care of itself.