[gwu78]

"It's a game only..."

What about governments who collect the fees?

For example, how much have software patents ("junk patents") contributed to the USPTO's balance sheet? Is this relevant? In this position, can the USPTO self-regulate? I ask this not rhetorically, but sincerely.

If the small countries that restrict software patents had the market size of the US, it would not surprise me if they allowed more unrestricted patenting of software. But China stands as a counterpoint to the idea that market size is the differentiator.

Perhaps it is the willingness of US consumers to pay higher prices. This enables patentees to pass the expenses of patent office fees, court fees and lawyer fees to the consumer (even when the patents granted were not practiced to make the product: they're "junk"!).