I think there is merit to patents too, just not in there current form. Patents were envisioned as a way to share innovation and progress while still protecting

I think there is merit to patents too, just not in there current form. Patents were envisioned as a way to share innovation and progress while still protecting the inventor for enough time to make a profit. I think when they first were created it was 8 or 12 years. Not the 70+ it is now. It was also required be be a non-obvious, specific invention. Slide to unlock which was a patent war apple won against google clearly goes against this "non-obvious" intent. Specific has also went to the wayside in software. When dyson applies for a patent for a new vacuum cleaner they specify exactly how the new suction is generated. Software patents are much more like "a device that sucks" is the patent. Woe be it to you if you create something else that sucks. Bring back short terms, specificity and non-obvious requirements. Then patents help by protecting innovation instead of stifling it.