I think people forget that its purpose was to <i>&quot;promote the Progress of Science and useful Arts&quot;</i>. In the case of today&#x27;s software, it is actually doing the opposite; it&#x27;s a <i>drag</i> on innovation.<p><i>&quot;To promote the Progress of Science and useful Arts, by securing for limited Times to Authors and Inventors the exclusive Right to their respective Writings and Discoveries.&quot;</i><p>-Article I, Section 8, Clause 8 of the United States Constitution