I like to look at the intellectual property argument from something of a utilitarian standpoint.  Imagine there is a machine I build and it does a wonderful thing, say it cures cancer, or makes cake.  If my machine is truly an improvement over other options on the market I will be able to charge a large profit for it, and eventually copycats will come out and the price will be forced down.  if we are at a point where everyone can rip off everyone else for these sorts of machines if they weren't patented then I would argue the envelope is not being pushed hard enough.  I can't patent making ice or yarn or beer now because everyone can do it.  If your cooking methods are really that revolutionary, then no you have no reason to publish them but you would be foolish in thinking that they would never be reproduced in any real society.  The innovation-knockoff cycle continues in a given industry until human intellect is strained.  "Let's see them try to make THIS!" would be the shouts from remarkably high-paid engineers and scientists as they compete for capital.

Think about it.  What would happen if Lycos had somehow claimed intellectual property on all search engines?