My two cents....


If I spend X-billions making a multi-touch, I should be allowed X number of years to recover my money - because I came up with the idea first.

Secondly, If I come up with a multi-touch, and I do not patent, then company Y will patent and charge me for my own research.

===
Lack of patents will breed lack of motivation - and the world foresore this, and that's why the patents expire after a period of 5 years [correct me if I am wrong] - and the guys copying may just have to pay royalties.


Please read the story of the guy who invented the "intermittent windshield wiper" [google or wikipedia it]

Or watch the movie [the dramatization is more exciting] " A flash of Genius" - a classic case of why patenting is important.