🚀 go-pugleaf

I can give an impression of the situation in the food industry (where I work).
Just about every imaginable abuse exists.  Patents on refinements are often
worded in such a way that prior art seems to be covered.  Many patents are
issued for refinements which are obvious to even minimally skillful
practitioners.  Patents are issued covering material distinguishable from the
subjects of previous patents only by patent attorneys.  Stolen trade secrets
may have been patented (that last one is a little slippery, but the alternative
explanation of some events begs a bit much of coincidence).  The result is
that patents are considered weak protection against a large opponent (rarely
does anyone prove infringement), but a good way of keeping marginal players
out of an area (not everyone wants to get into a litigating contest with a
multi-billion dollar company, especially not as defendant, no matter how 
strong his position may seem on its merits).
                              Steve         saj@chinet.chi.il.us