In 1959, the Volvo engineer Nils Bohlin developed the modern three-point seat belt. Although the design was patented, the company decided the patent was to be left open, making it available to all vehicle manufacturers to use for free. Within five years of its introduction, three-point belts became standard in cars throughout Europe and the U.S.
@archaeohistories "Although the design was patented, the company decided the patent was to be left open" — which is actually the originally intended mode of operation for patents.
Patents get fully published to increase human knowledge. It actually was expected that patent holders license their patents non discriminating and at reasonable conditions.
Current use of parents to block competition is total abuse of the system. The idea and justification for patents was cooperation.
Archaeo-Histories
Mathias Hasselmann