I don't think that it's unreasonable to expect to recoup the millions you spent on R&D for developing a new crop.
Yes, the length of ownership should be much shorter, but until the world governments collapse, technological advancements cost money and resources.
If you remove the ability to recoup R&D costs before addressing the need for private r&d at all, you're going to stifle innovation.
This isn't an endorsement for the current system, but these processes will continue to exist until the current system is replaced.