[Talisker]

The constitution only gives Congress the right to establish monopolies. It does not make those monopolies property. Your argument in favor of government monopolies is that anyone who spends a lot of money should be guaranteed a return. What system of property rights is that?

Don't be an ass, that's not what a patent does. A patent refers TO property - the invention itself. Or are you one of those communists who believes the people who actually invent things should be required to release all hold on their property for the "public good"? You know that's called theft, right? Or is it that you just don't care?

[SeeSharp]

Don't be an ass,

Let's not be uncivil.

that's not what a patent does.

That is exactly what a patent does and that is all it does. It creates a monopoly, an artificial shortage, in order to reward the inventor by driving up the price of his invention.

A patent refers TO property - the invention itself.

No it doesn't. It refers to an idea. That's why it isn't property. And that's why copying a patented item isn't stealing.