2011 has been the year that decisively marks the coming-to-light of the stupidity inherent in the way our patent system operates. After an enthralling episode of This American Life cast the spotlight on Intellectual Ventures, Nathan Mhyrvold’s multibillion-dollar, patent-hoarding company, the story spread like wildfire and the larger public suddenly became aware of the vast inequity the dominates the tech world from behind the scenes.