> Are patents and IP even a good thing? Preventing idea or bytes from spreading, what kind of silly thing to try to protect.

The theory is: Nobody will invent anything if they don't have a monopoly on the idea. As if without patents, someone would have a great idea and say "I'm not going to invent this thing and become a millionaire, because someone else might copy it cheaply and become a bigger millionaire! Nope, rather just keep stocking shelves!"