[CyberFonic]

The original intent of patents was to provide the inventor a window of opportunity to profit from their invention. Unfortunately corporations are gaming the system and have weaponized patents. The basic problem is that whilst you can get a patent granted for tens of thousands, large corporations wilfully infringe upon patents because it costs millions to defend them and the typical inventor does not have the resources to defend.

As with most things the IP laws have resulted in perverse incentives benefitting those who can afford to spend the shareholders' money in their quest to protect their monopolies. The little guy gets screwed, yet again.