What's a scam that's so normalized that we don't even realize it's a scam anymore?

I should've added patents as well. They both have a purpose, which is to compensate creators and researchers. Although I agree with that purpose, imagine how much further society could progress if we could freely build upon each others creations, as soon as they come out. I believe medicine, technology, and art would benefit immensely. The ones who benefit the most from patents and copyright are for profit corporations anyways. It seems like the whole thing works against society, rather than for it.