It's true, once a secret is exposed then you become copy-able.
But in reality it's more complex than that, because the secret maker has the advantage of momentum and someone copying you only has a snapshot in time (when they saw how you do your magic).
Fighting patents are extremely expensive, and ensuring your product stays locked to your patent is equivalent to circling your wagons around the patent. The world moves on, new technologies are released, new languages, now you are scared to move forward because protecting your patent means you have to stay locked to that idea.
But in reality it's more complex than that, because the secret maker has the advantage of momentum and someone copying you only has a snapshot in time (when they saw how you do your magic).
Fighting patents are extremely expensive, and ensuring your product stays locked to your patent is equivalent to circling your wagons around the patent. The world moves on, new technologies are released, new languages, now you are scared to move forward because protecting your patent means you have to stay locked to that idea.
I would never patent software again