Does patent protection do more good than harm, or does it do more harm than good?

Since the Middle Ages (especially the first Industrial Revolution), patent, as an intangible asset, has greatly promoted people's enthusiasm for technological innovation, but also brought some negative effects on technological progress.

 

      Patents can effectively protect inventions and creations within a certain period of time and encourage the enthusiasm of citizens and legal persons for inventions and creations. Secondly, patents are conducive to the popularization and application of inventions and creations, promote the conversion of advanced science and technology into productive forces as soon as possible, avoid repeated research and development of the same technology, and promote the continuous development of science and technology.

 

      On the other hand, the monopoly of patents may inhibit the free competition of others to some extent, resulting in the high price of certain products related to public health (such as drugs and medical devices, etc.) during the period of intellectual property protection, thus increasing the burden on consumers. The Wright brothers' patent application, for example, was a serious obstacle to the development of aircraft until the outbreak of World War I, when the United States government imposed a system of patent sharing, the problem was finally resolved. Today, many smart people in the computer industry worry that the "patent jungle" is hampering software innovation.

 

      The patent system gives innovators temporary monopoly power, allowing them to set high prices without competition. In the process, ideas spread and use less quickly. There are even some patent applicants who maliciously apply for already mature technology patents through disguised means, so as to cheat the examination of the Patent Office and set obstacles for the technological development of the industry.

 

      Only do not rely on their own existing technology patents to protect the monopoly in some technical fields, but constantly in self-denial to accelerate innovation and growth, continue to promote the technical progress of the industry, to bring more convenience and benefits for users.