@molo9000
naw apple didn't invent it, but they sure as hell refined and mastered it lol
the patent system is not a completely flawed system, seriously folks 100 years ago weren't any less shrewd then folks today, if they could game the system they would off, the flaw lies in the addition to the patent system which allows for abuse (software patents, innovative patents, which allow for the patent of generic and vague ideas and concepts). The original system was never designed to be a defensive or offensive weapon, it was not envisage as a tool to deny technology it was not about who got there first but rather to protect the financial investment incurred during the development of new technologies, it was an involved processed which required very specific and well formed ideas and documentation
cutting edge technology cost millions to research, refine and bring to market, it is rarely ever a eureka moment and can take years to reach market and even long to gain market acceptance, the majority of profit can only be attained near the end of the products life cycle, if the patent expired too early, companies that had not invested in developing and ensuring market adoption can quickly bring to market cheaper products (because they do not need to offset research and marketing cost) thus penalizing the company who originally developed the technology