I don't know if Panic had any patents regarding this.

The patent system doesn't really benefit the small developer. I was listening to Build & Analyze and Marco Arment was asked if he would patent features of Instapaper and he essentially said that it is more pain than it's worth. They don't have time time and money required to enforce it.

Yep. Even if he patented it, a larger company could probably find an earlier similar patent to buy. Especially since awarded patents are often like this: "a technology to let people share their thoughts".

That is a horrible idea now that patents in the US are first to file rather than first to invent. You leave yourself open to somebody else patenting it, then coming back and suing you. Sure, you might be able to get that patent thrown out, but there is no guarantee and you are dumping a ton of money on lawyers in the process.

Like it or not, patent trolling is just getting warmed up.

First-to-file doesn't nullify the idea of prior art. If your invention is published before first filing, it still counts as prior art for invalidating patents.

"Patent law is a game of kings."

What good is any law since it only benefits the powerful?