I think some patents really do serve a purpose though and in some respects they are completely right to be granted. I think if someone is truely inovative in what they invent then they should be granted the patent. It's when people come along and patent really stupid stuff.

I remember a company filing a law suit against twitter once because they had patented the method of posting short status updates in the case of emergency (or something like that) and they tried to sue Twitter??!!?! I understand the patent and how it is applied to Twitter in general but seriously, who allowed that patent to pass??

I find Amazons "One Click" purchase patent stupid.