[feb]

Patents have stalled technology in many areas since a long time. The book "Against Intellectual Monopoly" [1] by Michele Boldrin and David K. Levine analyze the economical impact of patterns on society. They give some surprising examples, like how the Wright brothers invested heavily in patents and legal actions to stiffle competition instead of continuing development of airplanes.

[1] http://dklevine.com/general/intellectual/againstfinal.htm

[warmwaffles]

Firearms industry had this as well. Smith & Wesson for the longest time fought tooth and nail to be the only revolver manufacturer in the late 1800s and early 1900s.