Ballmer: today's patent system better than no patent system

Steve Ballmer at the London School of Economics, as quoted in the Guardian:

"We think that the law ought to be reformed to reflect modern times. But if you ask me in general 'are we better off with today's patent system, or no system?' We're better off with today's patent system."

Ballmer added that Microsoft has paid out more in patent licence fees than it has received – "and yet I still tell you that I think the system is helpful and important and constructive".

The article mentioned the case against Motorola [Microsoft has sued handset maker Motorola claiming it infringes patents it holds. ]