In rare instances patents allow keen individuals to cash in with their skill and grit. Most of the time this does not happen. With companies, they are generall

In rare instances patents allow keen individuals to cash in with their skill and grit. Most of the time this does not happen. With companies, they are generally happy selling the old stuff with lipstick since it's easier, rather than innovate. I would claim that for businesses with less than astronomical R&D budgets trademarks and brands are far more valuable than patents, while patents act mostly as an outside markets legal leverage (i.e they provide a big stick against competitors but the only effect it has on customers is a slightly higher price).