There's a great article on Wired about how software patents suck. It's an interview with Ralph Nader. Here's a quote I really enjoyed:
Q: The system must be working for someone. Who benefits?A: The system protects two groups: software companies with weak products who use patents to harass competitors, and patent lawyers. The ease of getting patents makes it economically attractive to abuse the system in a number of unpleasant ways. People obtain patents and then ask businesses to pay licensing fees that are cheaper than the cost of mounting a legal defense. Also, firms are wary of investing in new products for fear they will be ambushed by an infring
Very true. What kind of idiots work in the patent officies anyways? Do they have any clue about the patents they are granting? Or are they just corrupt?