I don't think the parallel is accurate, in the sense that arms-dealers provide the arms with which you can then inflict damage if you choose to, and patent lawy

I don't think the parallel is accurate, in the sense that arms-dealers provide the arms with which you can then inflict damage if you choose to, and patent lawyers are only needed when you already have the "gun", I.e. a patent, and also have chosen to fire it. To put things simply, without the arms dealer you are not a threat, because you have no gun, but with or without the patent lawyer you HAVE the patent and thus can be a threat.