[mikevm]

It also drives innovation.

[fhd2]

Quite the contrary in my experience, capitalism typically restrains innovation. Patent trolls are just one of many examples.

Not saying I've got a better idea than capitalism, but I wouldn't consider it ideal.

[TelmoMenezes]

Patents are only possible through government regulation. Without the government's interference, there would be no such concept. Pure capitalism has no patents.

[15charusername]

Even with Patent trolls and week patents, patents still allow companies to license innovative technology rather than hide it away for fear of copying (ala qualcomm)

Patents are a good idea, it's the current implementation that sucks

[simonh]

It's the worst system we know of, except for all the others.

[antihero]

It may be a factor on slow improvement, but true innovation comes from the passionate minds of geniuses.