Dickens on Patents

In 1850, Charles Dickens wrote "A Poor Man's Tale of a Patent," outlining the expense and difficulty of the English patent system. A choice quote:

'John, if the laws of this country were as honest as they ought to be, you would have come to London — registered an exact description and drawing of your invention — paid half-a-crown or so for doing of it — and therein and thereby have got your Patent.'

The full text can be read on the Patent Law Blog.