Yes, it would work better for software! I'm unsure why you and my other interlocutor considered this an interesting point to make: my post is clear that I believe software patents should be abolished, but not all patents.
> Yes, this is the standard argument. Do you have any evidence that it actually works that way?
Yes. The fact that innovation has marched on and that small-time inventors have invented new and relevant products is evidence for my claim.
> I don't see a lot of small companies making it big on a patented product where they get a lot of protection that works;
Sure you do. Segway is one. Many of the products by Dyson would be others.
> I do see a lot of companies of all sizes being stomped on.
Please, by all means, provide examples.
> The effects in reality do not seem to be a net positive for the "little guys", who can't afford the patent process in the first place
Tell that to James Dyson or Dean Kamen.