The patent system would be a lot better if it didn&#x27;t protect &quot;obvious&quot; technologies (which in general is pretty much all of the useful technology).<p>One of the largest problems with the patent system is large corporations try to position themselves as the go-between on some obvious and useful technology.  It&#x27;s not about protecting real innovation to them, it&#x27;s about stifling competition.<p>None of the major corporations (technology or otherwise) are innocent here as far as I can tell.