I guess you get more protection for your patent if it takes 3+ years from application -> issuance.
Isn't that the rationale behind so-called "submarine" patents... to keep running the clock, so that your protection never expires?
The 20-year from application law is intended to block submarine patents. (For patent applications filed before June 8, 1995, the patent term is the longer of 20 years from the application date or 17 years from issue date.) However, there is still a possible 5 year extension for pharmaceutical patents to compensate for required approvals (such as FDA) before the product can be marketed. Thus, the maximum submarine life seems to be 20 years for most non-drug patents. (There's always the chance that a submarine was filed before the 1995 law change, though; such applications are grandfathered.)
if they charge you for cd's can you legally copy copyrighted stuff to them?
Actually, while the law doesn't say it is legal to copy copyrighted stuff, it does say that the copyright holders agree not to sue individuals who do it for personal use. (I think the holders agree to this by signing up for their share of the "pre-paid royalty.")
US Title 17... "1008. Prohibition on certain infringement actions
No action may be brought under this title alleging infringement of copyright based on the manufacture, importation, or distribution of a digital audio recording device, a digital audio recording medium, an analog recording device, or an analog recording medium, or based on the noncommercial use by a consumer of such a device or medium for making digital musical recordings or analog musical recordings."
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Isn't that the rationale behind so-called "submarine" patents
The 20-year from application law is intended to block submarine patents.
(For patent applications filed before June 8, 1995, the patent term is the longer of 20 years from the application date or 17 years from issue date.)
However, there is still a possible 5 year extension for pharmaceutical patents to compensate for required approvals (such as FDA) before the product can be marketed.
Thus, the maximum submarine life seems to be 20 years for most non-drug patents.
(There's always the chance that a submarine was filed before the 1995 law change, though; such applications are grandfathered.)
if they charge you for cd's can you legally copy copyrighted stuff to them? ... "1008. Prohibition on certain infringement actions
No action may be brought under this title alleging infringement of copyright based on the manufacture, importation, or distribution of a digital audio recording device, a digital audio recording medium, an analog recording device, or an analog recording medium, or based on the noncommercial use by a consumer of such a device or medium for making digital musical recordings or analog musical recordings."
Actually, while the law doesn't say it is legal to copy copyrighted stuff, it does say that the copyright holders agree not to sue individuals who do it for personal use. (I think the holders agree to this by signing up for their share of the "pre-paid royalty.")
US Title 17