In a developing economy (or more rather evolving economy) patents may have had some value - in that they allow the creator some protection to profit from his creation. This was more importantly true and effective in the age where new "things" (actual material scientific things) were being developed (like in the industrial age).

Nowadays patents have become an absurd abomination - used to prevent dissemination and active culture of knowledge and technique. Its just a tool to make profits above and exclusive of all else. And the extention of patents to include ideas and plans in the generic terms of an IP is even more so I believe.

Plus since the whole culture has been turned around - now corporations with money power can keep extending their patents through various subversive means and loopholes in discovery processes etc.