Yes, most patents are requested in order to keep someone else’s innovation off the market.
A patent can encourage innovation, and it can discourage it too. You are aware of the one thing—that the protection of one’s creative invention allows one to market it, as marketing it generally makes it’s secrets public.
On the other hand, a patent more often is used to quash similar inventions. Often when an invention is made, it is that the time is ripe for it—general social innovation or other discoveries make something obvious or needed in ways that did not previously exits. Many people discover the same innovation, all independently. That is, let me be very clear here, MANY people working in the same field would naturally be expected to come up with the same or similar innovations on their own.
Um, no. It is to keep someone from hijacking your innovation as part of their product.
You are aware of the one thing—that the protection of one’s creative invention allows one to market it, as marketing it generally makes its secrets public.
A patent requires the disclosure of the secrets, a patent can be voided if key details are withheld. This disclosure preceded the introduction of a product (Indeed the inventor loses the right to patent any idea publicly offered for sale before the filing!)
Some things it makes sense to patent, some things don't. Where would Coca-Cola be today if they had patented their recipe?
On the other hand, a patent more often is used to quash similar inventions.
Often it is. This requires competitors to patent their own technology and cross license when and where they can.
Often when an invention is made, it is that the time is ripe for it—general social innovation or other discoveries make something obvious or needed in ways that did not previously exits. Many people discover the same innovation, all independently. That is, let me be very clear here, MANY people working in the same field would naturally be expected to come up with the same or similar innovations on their own.
Yep. Been there, done that. Got the patent.