Can't have the penny and the bun!

If you invented something, and then, for whatever reason, deliberately and knowingly decided not to patent your invention, you would hardly be in a position to complain at a lack of protection if somebody stole your idea - the mechanism for protecting yourself against that possibility existed and you chose not to use it.  A senior family judge has suggested that couples living together but not married should have the same rights and obligations on any breakdown of their relationship as if they were married - but why?  The mechanism for protecting yourself in the event of such a breakdown already exists, it's called marriage, and if you deliberately and knowingly choose not to use it.....