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With the recent push for software patents, we're starting to see issues in that field, where basic concepts are being patented, blocking innovation. For instance, not too long ago I read that HTC and Samsung were having issues getting stuff into the country, unless they stripped out some features of their Android phones, because Apple had a patent on an address book that would give you an menu of methods to contact a person if you clicked on their face. A simple thing that I've seen for years in other address book apps, on forums, etc, and now no one can do something like that without getting Apple's permission first. At least on patents, in the US they're protected for 20 years (14 if considered a design patent)
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