[lnguyen]

It's not only that it might be cheaper, it's because it takes out the uncertainty that would be involved in trying to defeat a patent. You have no idea how long the fight will take to wind it's way through the courts or even if you'll ultimately get a ruling in your favor.

[bwarp]

Which is why the legal system is an utter failure.

Patent trolls play the probability game which usually results in a net gain because the legal system is failing.

I would say that there should be laws against this but that will result in another loophole or way of making money.

Perhaps I'm a socialist wierdo, but I'd favour scrapping the entire patent process for something which rewards positive contributions to society as a whole rather than who can screw who first. People should be creating things that improve the human condition, not enslave it.