On a certain level, it makes sense. Google wants to patent it to cover their bases and make sure no one else does the same thing and blocks them. It's a rational move in a shitty game.
"Rational move". Think about that for a second. Morally wrong doesn't really reach anyone's mind these days.
How would it look if someone else got the patent and completely blocked Google? It's not even a question for large companies. The issue is this archaic patent and copyright system where someone "owns" an idea... Absurd.