The problem with patents is they kill all kinds of innovation.

Once one company, let's say Apple, gets some patents in an area, then no one else can work in the same space. Give Apple all the copyrights they want plus trademarks and design patents, but no software and hardware patents. Even independent invention is no defense against patents - if I invent something and sell it, and I've never heard of you, but you have a prior patent, you can steal my invention and work from me.