> The patent system was designed to foster innovation.
No, the patent system was dedigned to elevate Queen's friends above their competition.
No, the patent system was dedigned to elevate Queen's friends above their competition.
> By the 16th century, the English Crown would habitually grant letters patent for monopolies to favoured persons (or people who were prepared to pay for them).[14] [...]
> This power was used to raise money for the Crown, and was widely abused, as the Crown granted patents in respect of all sorts of common goods (salt, for example).