I have not really delved into patent laws that much, but do know that at some points in time US patents were issued for 14 years with up to Two 7 year extensions being possible under certain conditions. These had to be applied for & were not automatically granted. I am quite sure this was the standard in the 1850s through the 1870's but do not know when it was changed.


Miller/TN
I Didn't Say Everything I Said, Yogi Berra