Not only stupid patents, but also the length of time a patent lasts, and the scope of what can be patented (e.g. software patents). Plus the fact you can sell patents to other companies (allowing for companies whose sole purpose is to sue people for patent infringement without making or doing anything of value). Oh and also the fact that large companies infringe on each others' patents regularly, but choose to ignore it because it's mutual (but it isn't mutual for the up-and-coming tech startup).
Wait, are we sure it isn't patents that are the problem?