>I think it would be more constructive to begin the discussion of what patent reform should resemble so that companies and individuals can show support for it.
Here's a (possibly already proposed) idea: Why not have much shorter terms for software patents? With software advancing at an ever increasing rate we could reward developers who hold patents by granting them exclusive rights for a year--an eternity in today's world.
Perhaps this timeframe would make patents difficult to enforce (which has its pros and cons) and it doesn't fix the problem of frivolous patents, but a year-long term would (in principle) protect your "invention" long enough for you to get a head start on the market.
Here's a (possibly already proposed) idea: Why not have much shorter terms for software patents? With software advancing at an ever increasing rate we could reward developers who hold patents by granting them exclusive rights for a year--an eternity in today's world.
Perhaps this timeframe would make patents difficult to enforce (which has its pros and cons) and it doesn't fix the problem of frivolous patents, but a year-long term would (in principle) protect your "invention" long enough for you to get a head start on the market.