[dekhn]

This is an absolutist position that permits no subtlety. But the patent system is a subtle incentivization which seeks to balance a number of forces (in particular, it incentivizes people to invent new things that they can profit from, while also avoiding trade secrets).

[wolfgke]

> This is an absolutist position that permits no subtlety.

Where is the problem with such positions?

[dekhn]

Simple: you are unlikely to affect any change by taking an absolutist position. Beyond making it look like you're inflexible, patents have extensive pre-existing legal support, so it's really unlikely anybody is going to change their mind just because you feel strongly.

It's better, when you're arguing on the internet, to limit yourself to reasonable arguments that people are receptive to, and working to convince people.

I used to feel very strongly about patents (that they were "wrong") but, over time I've come to believe they are the least unreasonable protection for IP that also encourages long-term sharing. Trade secrets are worse because society as a whole doesn't get to benefit.