The one that has particular relevance here is his analysis of France, when the Magna Carte had just gone down in England. The French aristocracy was not happy with the prospect of something similar happening, so they centralized everything at the court, forcing the nobility to spend huge amounts of time there and huge amounts of money for the latest, ever changing fashion. This lead to new laws regarding patents, which had much broader appeal to the masses.

You could get a patent on just about anything just by paying a fee, and then, woe betide anyone who violated that patent – one of thousands, but ignorance of the law, etc. – as you and the court would split the huge fines. So, you get a patent on wearing a red feather in your cap on the Rue de Idiocy on alternate Sundays at 1 PM, and then just wait for some dastardly fellow to violate it. And, of course your neighbors will do the same in self-defense.

This unlimited patenting had the effect of crippling French industry, which had been FAR in advance of England until the new patent system. One company had the patent on black warp. Another had the patent on black woof. Consequently, no one in France could produce black cloth – only shades of grey or other combinations. Britain took full advantage of the French economic suicide, which led ultimately to the disastrous French revolution. As Fukuyama points out, France has never really recovered. It is considered one of the all-time low trust cultures, and that dates from the patent disaster.

We are nearing that stage of things doday. The absurd Sonny Bono intellectual property law has been topped by the first-filed patent law changes.

There is a good reason for intellectual property, but if you go the patent route, then you should be required to license at a reasonable rate to anyone who wants to enter the market. Otherwise the patent system is just a license to steal – which is where it is, in fact.

…but seriously, I think we want these big companies to find ways to work together…not the other way around… I remember that flash excuse… and I understand the idea not to bring any of your billions into the USA to pay taxes, just use us for some great profits… I just remember MS as the big evil thingy… but Apple….starts to make me nervous (remember bill and warren gave all their money for charity)…..I like the pretty apple candy also, but are we helping to build a monster….??