It interesting to imagine that if general artificial intelligence was a combination of discreet algorithms and insights and it was supremely valuable, giving power and wealth beyond anything else, then if someone held a patent on a “part” of GAI would logically have an incentive to bargain indefinitely for more money and influence but actually never give up their patent since giving someone else access to GAI would always put them in weaker to position no matter the money they got.

This view might conceivably prevent GAI from ever happening, which could be in ways desirable.