[Ensorceled]

I think it really depends on which part of the industry you are working on, the stuff you describe matches my experience as an "inventor". I think there are two patent industries now:

One is writing patents for new, novel, and interesting things and doing all the other things you describe.

The other is churning out crappy patents as quickly as possible and flooding the patent office with whatever will stick.

[southbalkan]

I wouldn't disagree with that characterization... Gladly, I am in the first camp (I hope).

[Ensorceled]

I think of it as the difference between "what do we need patent to protect our IP" and "ok, what else can we patent?!?"