# IBMs proxy game is publishing patents People are promoted based on how many patents they created. IBM makes a lot of money through licensing. This is why IBM is the top patent publisher but nobody thinks of them as an exciting innovative company. In some ways IBM has basically become a patent troll. ### Related - [[People and organizations are all playing some game that has different ways of gaining status and power]] - [[In most industries outside of pharma and chemicals, patents are a net drag on innovation]] <!-- #case-study --> [Web URL for this note](http://notes.benjaminreinhardt.com/IBMs+proxy+game+is+publishing+patents) [Comment on this note](http://via.hypothes.is/http://notes.benjaminreinhardt.com/IBMs+proxy+game+is+publishing+patents)