The patent law applies when a person invents something, then describes it on a patent. When that patent is submitted and approved, no one else can claim invention of that item. Patents encourage competition because the first person to come up with a great idea for an invention and patent it will own the idea: people want to be the first, and are motivated.s
Many of the American Indians who fought in the French and Indian War wre eventually pushed off their land (and of course many were killed as well), since the British won the war.
