Patent the sun?
 

Jonas Edward Salk (October 28, 1914 – June 23, 1995) was an American physician and researcher, best known for the development of the first polio vaccine (the eponymous Salk vaccine).

During his life he worked in New York, Michigan, Pittsburgh and California. In his later career, Salk devoted much energy toward the development of an an AIDS vaccine.

Salk did not seek wealth or fame through his innovations, famously stating,

"Who owns my polio vaccine? The people! Could you patent the sun?"

http://experts.about.com/e/j/jo/Jonas_Salk.htm