[musingsole]

To echo this, every story I've ever heard of patent or IP protections making or breaking a company come across as classic exceptions that break the rules stories. These rules are made for the behemoth companies of older eras who have become institutionalized. The patents are how they negotiate their niche with the other institutions.

Which is to say, unless you're an institution or know how to play on their field, patents are useless to you and your customers.