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Good info. I have a different take on #2.

"2. The "billions of dollars spent on patents instead of hiring engineers" argument is a red herring. Firstly, these companies cannot find enough "good" engineers to hire, which is why they're lobbying for more H1s. "

They can't find enough good engineers at below market price. If you could find a good engineer if you paid 1 million dollars, than the "market price" lies somewhere between what you are offering and 1 millions dollars i.e. the price at which you can purchase a commodity on the market.

If I can't find enough gold at $1000 an ounce I wouldn't be correct in saying that "I can't find gold". (The market now is ~$1200 oz.)




It is particularly interesting if you compare the average salaries between software engineers and patent attorneys in the US.

http://www.glassdoor.com/Salaries/us-software-engineer-salar...

http://www.glassdoor.com/Salaries/us-patent-attorney-salary-...

How many more "good engineers" would suddenly be found if they were offered 58 % higher compensation?




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