"At what point in this chain do you see theft occurring?"


          I don't know what system you're describing. It cerainly doesn't work that way in the US. What happens here is, Genius A developes a computer program that lets blind people speak into a mic that produces text on a page to e-mail to somebody.
          He takes his idea to Microsoft, who encourages Genius A to continue development and takes him to lunch, but they don't make him an offer. Then, after several months, when nothing develops with Microsoft, Genius A gets a bunch of his friends together, produces the product, and puts it on the market.
          The minute Genius A's product hits the streets, Microsoft announces--through all the media connections they have--that they will be coming out with a newer better product in 3 to 4 months, and that it will be compatible with Windows.
            Nobody buys Genius A's product, because they're all waiting for Microsoft to come out with their new and better product, with all the warranties and backing of the giant company.
            In 3 to 4 months, Genius A is broke, and Microsoft picks up his patents and equipment in a "distress sale" situation, and a few weeks after that, Microsoft comes out witht exact same product they picked up from Genius A, but with their own name on it. Microsoft makes a fortune to add to the billions they already have.
             Microsoft offers Genius A a job, but he gets a 9mm Glock and goes on a shooting rampage instead.

             It's called Reaganomics here, but where is the theft in this scenario?