A patent would only protect the holder’s rights. It can’t force a market place to use it.
The little guy has a huge hurdle due to the vested interest and large $ amounts involved.
As an example look at the FSO market.
But, the good news is that the current model seems to have some inefficiencies. Where there is inefficiency there is room for removing these inefficiencies and taking a small delta in profit. A well-capitalized entity has a better change of exploiting those inefficiencies and eventially profiting, assuming they can absorb any hurdles to start-up costs.
Companies like Redfin and Ziprealty are incremental examples. They essentially are turning some of the profit over to the buyer in exchange for giving fewer services and having the buyer doing some of the leg work. It’s a small change, and may or may not stick, but it’s a step.
