A large dispute between Apple and Samsung has resulted in courtroom debates on the extent and legitimacy of patents. How far and detailed should these patents extend?

Apple sued Samsung for patent infringement for 1 billions dollars, for creating technology that had similar functions and, primarily, looks. However, these claims that Apple hold over specific little functions and formats of their phones seem to be stretching their limits a bit too far, and thus causing the debate on how strongly these patents should hold.  With such specific patents, how are companies supposed to come up with new technology and functions with such strict limitations?

Furthermore, they begin to affect the public as more of these patents issues will be encouraged, it will become increasingly difficult to build upon and create new apps and features, and more attention will be placed in the courts than in the marketplace.  These restricted patents are limiting the production of new products and will continue to slow the market unless a compromise is found to balance out the restrictions.