I agree with the writer of the article in that we are always building on the ideas of others, but I also see the side of the holder of the patent. When so much

I agree with the writer of the article in that we are always building on the ideas of others, but I also see the side of the holder of the patent. When so much is invested (time, money, resources) into R&D, the first mover tends lose in the end. All a competitor needs to know is that it is possible. As Seth Godin has said several times, once something can be put on paper, it can be produced cheaper by someone else. So, if we are to get rid of patents, then startups and other inventors will need to find creative ways to capitalize/profit on the ideas benefit from being first mover.