For his benefit, and still more frequently and surely for the benefit of a multitude of other individuals, who have less claim, or no claim at all.
“a part of the increased cheapness, which the public owe to the inventor—”
But not to him only, for he invents often along with others, and always in consequence of knowledge which he derives from the common store, and which he ought, as its participant, to let others share, if doing so does himself no harm.
“in order to compensate and reward him for the service.”
The real service, if it be “service,” is the communicating his knowledge.
“That he ought to be both compensated and rewarded for it, will not be denied;”
But it does not follow, surely, even in Mr. Mill’s logic, that he should be invested with monopoly powers, which “raise prices” and “hurt trade,” and cause “general inconvenience.”
“and also, that if all were at once allowed to avail themselves of his ingenuity, without having shared the labours or the expenses which he had to incur in bringing his idea into a practical shape—”
But which, very likely, were trifling, and if heavy, were incurred for his own sake, and may have produced benefits to himself that sufficiently compensated all.