Though not necessarily their goal, a side of this story you don't mention is income via royalties. I have worked with multiple Bell labs alumnus who are financially very secure in part because of their work there.
As much as software patents irk common sense, the notion of IP protection really does seem reasonable here. There are people who do research for reasons beyond personal profit. They actually do deserve licensing fees.
As much as software patents irk common sense, the notion of IP protection really does seem reasonable here. There are people who do research for reasons beyond personal profit. They actually do deserve licensing fees.