I own a patent on a fishing lure. Based on the research I did, it appears the patent office grants patents they really shouldn't. Putting a ridge along the edge of the claws is not something that should earn a patent. What the patent office does is grant patents (they make money off patents but nothing off not issuing patents) even to products that don't deserve patents, and then let the owner of the patent fight it out in court with those who would produce a similar product. Not the best way to do things, and obviously costs businesses alot of money, and generally the little guy doesn't have the money to fight the big guys.
