[backprojection]

1. I think the obviousness of an idea might change throughout time. 2. What if one industry is dominated by two companies, in the sense that all the experts are employed by one or the other, then how could they be unbiassed?

[drcube]

Simple. Monopolies and duopolies shouldn't be awarded patents, which are just monopolies themselves. Why award monopolies to monopolies?

[rcthompson]

First you have to prove in court that they are a monopoly.

[taligent]

Nothing wrong with being a monopoly so long as you don't use that monopoly to restrict competition.

[tikhonj]

There's nothing illegal with being a monopoly. That doesn't mean it isn't wrong. I think in most cases (with exceptions like utilities), not having monopolies leads to a healthier market than having them.

[CamperBob2]

1. I think the obviousness of an idea might change throughout time.

Sounds like an excellent reason not to allow someone to own the idea for 20 years.

[darkarmani]

Yes, or changing it from a binary system to a continuum that maxes out at 20 years. Software patent? 5 years. New drug - 20 years. New algorithm (can't patent math of course) 10 years.