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No doubt it is strategic, particularly considering the signatories: http://thepatentpledge.org/ But IMO it is difficult to delineate 'motivations of self-interest' from 'activity in your industry'. I don't know how cynical to be about it.
As for the question, I am not sure. If patents are about protecting the inventor, I think that they should be skewed as such. Say a patent is good for 20 years. Ok. But if you sell, it, say it is now good for 10 years (less the time that has already passed). Sold again, 5 years, and so on. That might take the currency aspect out of the system, or at least keep the inventor in for the ride.