Well, if something is obvious and they can not start it properly in two years -- well, maybe they should change markets... If they start it two years properly, then they have name working on them. If it is not obvious then there will be much more significant lag between competition appear. Finally - if it is somehow golden egg and obvious -- well, then you can pay to keep it. But you should not be able to keep zillion obscure patents in hopes to get your share in license fees.. (e.g. such as that company in Virginia who hold patent on e-mail communications...) > Companies need to know beforehand whether or not their investment is going to be protected. Hmm... Says who? It is like someone comes and and opens a store in the small city, and then says -- we should not allow anybody else to open a store, because the initial company must have their investment protected!