I have several patents to my name. That the patent is to protect the little guy is perhaps the largest urban myth running. A patent only gives you the right to prosecute when you think you've been infringed. While this is certainly better than no protection at all, prosecuting a patent suit is a _very_ expensive proposition. Even preparing and filing a suit costs a good deal of money. To a small cash-starved company (or individual) without the means to mount a suit a patent is worthless. You have to prove the other guy is guilty of infringement. This can take years, and you can very easily lose on some arcane detail or oversight on your (or your lawyers') part. Patents are tools for those with money to make more money. If you haven't got the cash to fight you might as well have no patent at all, in my opinion.

While I don't believe patents should be abolished, the patent system is rife with possibility for manipulation by those with the money to do so, just like mainstream politics.

-Zeke