in their hearts inspire me. our shared obsession with innovation. it s an obsession. the united states is one of the most innovative economies in the world. the u.s. institution grants congress the power to, quote, promote the progress of science and useful arts by securing for limited times of authors and inventors the exclusive right. this idea to protect the rights of american innovators through large and small patent was at one point truly revolutionary. it s been extorted and expanded and they are killing off the one thing that everyone seems to agree, america does right, which is innovate. according to the new york times last year, for the first time ever, apple and google spent more money on patent lawsuits and patent purchases