Patents, RFCs and Reputation

Here's a thought, which is more valuable: the Eolas Patent on browser plugins or Dave Crocker's RFC for email?

Eolas recieved a half a billion settlement from Microsoft, and the original inventors could realize a considerable reward, if appeals reach an end. I'm using Eolas as one of the perfect examples of pure return, and this is in no way a knock against the inventors. A patent and a standard are hard to compare because the process of invention is so different. But to you personally and society the answer is clearly the latter.

The real question is, have standards surpassed patents in reputational return?

My supposition is yes, not just because the patent system is so dysfunctional and abused. But because communal inventors have set great examples for how to spend their social capital.

Aaron Swartz is right to be proud and congratulated on RFC 3870.