Campaign against the patent system. Don't expect public companies not to use the rules as they exist to their best interest. I don't even see anything unethical in wanting to keep some exclusive features (although 20 years seems too long).
I do also think that Samsung probably did cross the line between taking inspiration and wholesale copying and attempting to look like Apple.
Companies have short-term and long-term interests. There's plenty of sense in trying to convince a company that their pursuit of their short-term best interest is at odds with their long-run interests.
Separately, I'll note that "blame the game, not the player" rings particularly hollow when the players have plenty of influence on the people who write the rules.
Yes there are long and short term interests but maximization of current smartphone/tablet market share is likely to have a long term beneficial impact as people get locked into the eco-system. I don't see a persuasive argument that making life expensive for Android isn't a good play, and that there shouldn't be a wish to different either. They also need to draw a line (with some help from the courts about where imitation stops being flattery and becomes infringement.
Fair point on influence of the rules although I don't recall any of the tech giants opposing software patents or patent exclusivity. That certainly includes Google. If you can point me to a smartphone manufacturer that opposes software patents or design patents (registered designs in the UK) I would be very interested although I doubt I'll actually become their customer as I'm already locked into an eco-system!
"I do also think that Samsung probably did cross the line between taking inspiration and wholesale copying and attempting to look like Apple."
Most people point at the physical design of Samsung phones to make this point, but in all seriousness Samsung just plain didn't copy the iPhones design. Take a look at these two products Samsung made, both of which predate the iPhone and both of which show the exact design language that Samsung has used on the Galaxy * products:
Not somewhat similar to the design language, exactly the same. From the rounded corners, to the bezel, to the single button on the bottom of the device. This was Samsung's design language before the iPhone ever existed.
