“Besides the progress of the arts, another change has occurred which affects this question. Formerly improvements made slow progress, and unless an inventor were protected for many years he had little chance of recompense. Now the power of advertising is so great and intelligence is so diffused, that any really useful invention can be brought immediately into operation and profit. Were Patents abolished, any one with an invention of value could find a manufacturer to take it up. It is true it would be open to the rest of the world as soon as found out, but the manufacturer would obtain the first start of all others, in itself a profit. Under the present system the legal protection breaks down in practice. The moment a specification is published, competing manufacturers strain their wits to contrive how to reach the same result through other means or modifications; in other words, how to infringe. Against this the patentee has no remedy, except proceedings at law of the most costly nature. “No change can be proposed in Patent-Law that will not be open to objections based on individual cases of hardship; but, on a comprehensive view of the subject in all its bearings, I hold that it would benefit the country to abolish the system _in toto_. Manufacturers would be relieved from present perplexity, delusions would no longer be kept up by excitement, an enormous waste of money would be stayed; and whilst the mass of worthless Patents would disappear, any of real value would be taken up on its merits and produce sufficient remuneration to the inventor.” The Report of the Commission, founded on the evidence of which I have shown the general character, contains the following just observations:— “The majority of witnesses, however, decidedly affirm the existence of practical inconvenience from the multiplicity of Patents. It is clear that Patents are granted for matters which can hardly be considered as coming within the definition, in the Statute of Monopolies, of ‘a new manufacture.’ It is in evidence that the existence of these monopolies embarrasses the trade of a considerable class of persons, artisans, small tradesmen, and others, who cannot afford to face the expense of litigation, however weak the case against them may seem to be; and a still stronger case is made out as to the existence of what may be called obstructive Patents, and as to the inconvenience caused thereby to manufacturers directly, and through them to the public.