patent are necessary, but they must be only granted for 5 years of time span. 5 years of leverage to patent holder is more than enough for them to cover up there research cost
So then you look at things like, 'well has this patent protected the innovation to get it to market during its lifetime?' Maybe it should be re-evaluated every year to determine if the patent is serving its purpose, or simply protecting no marketable product.
Maybe we should look at the value of the product being created and once that product has earned x-wealth the patent is ended?
I will admit I'm in the camp of "patents are bad -> period", but I was surprised to see your submission at the bottom here. I don't think you're far off.