There were few-to-no software patents until the 80s. In that period there was rapid progress, and many new industries; some say much faster progress than since.

There were few-to-no software patents until the 80s. In that period there was rapid progress, and many new industries; some say much faster progress than since. It's true that when some areas offer artificial monopolies and others don't, investors like the former. But extending the domain of monopolies isn't the only way to debias that.