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Lawrence D'Oliveiro wrote:
> In message
> <f124083b-4e19-4377-91b6->, Simon
> wrote:
>
>> What incentive is there for an individual to put their novel concept
>> into production, given that 'big widget company' can take your concept
>> and mass produce it, giving you absolutely nothing in return for all
>> your hard work?
>
> If people deserved to be paid in direct proportion to the amount of hard
> work they did, then toilet cleaners would be the highest paid profession in
> the world.

Get your mum to show you how.
Its easy.

In message <hopa68$dpp$>, Lawrence D'Oliveiro wrote:

> There is a growing body of economic research showing that patents offer no
> net benefit to the economy.

For example, here’s a whole book by an economics professor, “Against
Intellectual Monopoly”
<http://levine.sscnet.ucla.edu/general/intellectual/againstfinal.htm>:

It is common to argue that intellectual property in the form of
copyright and patent is necessary for the innovation and creation of
ideas and inventions such as machines, drugs, computer software, books,
music, literature and movies. In fact intellectual property is a
government grant of a costly and dangerous private monopoly over ideas.
We show through theory and example that intellectual monopoly is not
necessary for innovation and as a practical matter is damaging to
growth, prosperity and liberty.

And just to prove he practises what he preaches, you can download the entire
book for free.