Apple’s probably the biggest patent troll

No. Not idea, device. The original intent was you protected a given piece of hardware or method of performing s given task. You couldn’t just patent the concept of a steam engine, you needed to demonstrate a method to do so.

I have two patents through a company I worked for and you are correct in theory. The invention process is long and difficult. The United States wanted to create a way to patent your idea while you developed the product. The goal was that by the time you were ready to show your new product to the market and the public…

The problem with the patent office is that they let people patent ideas. Ideas are cheap. Ideas are easy. Ideas are plentiful. Ideas are practically worthless. Unless you can implement them and show a practical use, you shouldn’t be allowed to patent them or the patent should expire after a very limited time.