Large companies have patent warchests, and can engage in long-term litigation to ensure small companies cannot compete. Patents do nothing to protect small comp

Large companies have patent warchests, and can engage in long-term litigation to ensure small companies cannot compete. Patents do nothing to protect small companies from that. "Ignoring patents" as you say would help level the playing field for every company, and ensure companies cannot do things like patent XOR and destroy all of their competition.