Comment by akronim

    Why are patents transferable beyond the original creator?

This allows the creator to benefit in the case they can't personally exploit their work. If I invent some CPU fabrication process, I won't have the capital to invest to realize it and benefit - but maybe I can sell it to someone who can, which means the invention is actually used, and also I get some benefit.

    why wouldn't a patent become public domain once the creator dies

What if the patent is a joint creation, or created while working for a company, i.e. the company owns it?