It's not the same because a patent is a time-limited monopoly on a technology. This means that patents can be used to block the progress of other companies.
E.g. if A patents X and some large company B wants to use X and A refuses, then B cannot use X even if they offer millions.
E.g. if A patents X and some large company B wants to use X and A refuses, then B cannot use X even if they offer millions.