Maybe not run dry, but there is much rent seeking by the patent trolls. This slows down innovation.
Much less than talented people working on irrelevant "problems". But if it's where the money is, I don't blame them; I'd probably do the same. In the end, being happy should be more important than the advancement of science - and if money can buy some of your happiness, then go for it.
If I could only work 3 days a week...I don't know where we got Saturday and Sunday from, should look it up, but thank goodness for those at least.