when a company gets patent ,it has to release the formula to general public so that public/skilled person can work on it and can use this information to make new inventions. Normally a similar product invention is allowed but not identical. patent time is the reward to compensate company for the time/money investment it made. Although I am not sure if the invention based on prior art can be released into the market before patent expires...

Each system has its imperfections. US with its meagre population has not been able to control poverty and homelessness, compared to that India would have much more to face. Amidst all the uphill task this is a necessary good. About putting your foot through the monitor please do entertain yourself. Facts for an American consumer 1 % of profits coming from US for any hardware manufacturing firm (Cisco/JNPR) is max 2 % of profits are marginal in Asian countries What that means is that while you pay $50 for a 6Mb (comcast) connection the same costs about $25 in India. Because its a 2Mb connection its going to be further lower to $8 per person. So gloat all you may its cheaper to have free internet in India