Final answer:
Patents provide protection for inventors but have limitations and challenges. Inventors often receive only a fraction of the economic value of their inventions, and shorter patent protection could decrease research and development.
Step-by-step explanation:
Patents provide protection for inventors, incentivizing innovation. However, there are limitations and challenges with patents. Economic studies have shown that inventors often receive only a fraction of the economic value of their inventions in countries that already have patents. Additionally, shorter patent protection periods could decrease research and development activities. It's important to strike a balance between incentivizing innovation and ensuring fair access to inventions.