[felipeko]

Yet most patented inventions are pretty obvious on how to copy without the need to look at the patent, same with this case.

So we have no benefit of "open access to the mechanism" but with the deleterious effect of the "temporary (1/5 of a long human life) monopoly".

[rpmisms]

Well, the equation there is simple, as evidenced by the fact that many companies still opt for trade secrets instead of patents.