Is Innovation Stifffled by Patent Laws? In microeconomics class, I teach that patents are designed to create powerful incentives to innovate. As I read a New York Times article , I begin to see how perhaps this is not the case anymore. Do we actually repress new uses of information and ideas by granting long term wxclusive rights to another innovator? This leads to the ultimate question for capitalism - Is the profit motive the best engine for economic growth and advancement of society? I suppose that I am being influenced also by the recent attention given to Khan Academy, a not for profit educational innovation. The creator gave up a lucrative career in hedge fund management to develop this revolutionary learning aid that I urge my students in math to utilize. As a student of economics and longtime champion of Capitalism, I am at a stage in my life where I am reevaluating my beliefs. I want to be open to alternate ideas and paths. In 64 years, I have experienced disappointments with many of my strongly held positions. I find it refreshing to be in a position to explore options. let me say, I am not ready to give up on capitalism - I see no alternative that is superior. Perhaps we need to fine tune some of the priciples of the system to take us into the future. I look forward to what this next generation of thinkers will propose. I hope our civilization will have the curiosity and flexibility to allow exploration.