Final answer:
An idea for a better mousetrap can indeed be patented if it is new, non-obvious, and useful. However, patents have their limits and do not apply to every new idea, such as company training methods or organizational processes. There are also considerations regarding the rapid pace of technology in certain industries and the finite duration of patent protection.
Step-by-step explanation:
Can an idea for a better mousetrap be patented? The answer is a) Yes, if the idea meets certain criteria set by patent laws. While patents provide an incentive for innovation by protecting the innovator, they are not without limitations. For an idea to be patentable, it must be new, non-obvious, and useful. This means that the improved mousetrap must offer a new way of functioning, provide a solution that is not apparent to someone with knowledge in the field, and be functional in its application.
However, not every new idea can receive protection through patents. For instance, a new way of organizing a factory or a new method of training employees typically cannot be patented. Patents also come with a finite protection duration, usually 20 years, which is put in place to balance the time for the inventor to earn a return on investment while preventing permanent monopoly pricing.
In some industries, such as high-technology fields like biotechnology or semiconductor design, the rapid pace of advancement may render patents less relevant. Additionally, patents might sometimes provide overly broad coverage or be granted too easily, as seen with early Xerox patents on photocopy machines.