RE: RE: Here it is, Micr1The fact that we filed for the patent in February 2005 also means that we should be on the better end of this deal... I am not a patent lawyer so feel free to clarify or correct.
Under current US law, the term of patent is 20 years from the earliest claimed filing date (which can be extended via Patent Term Adjustment and Patent Term Extension). For applications filed before June 8, 1995, the term is 17 years from the issue date or 20 years from the earliest claimed domestic priority date, the longer term applying.
Also from what I recall, as long as you file a patent first anyone who uses or sells your idea can do so until your patent is granted. As soon as your patent is granted, you can sue them for every dime they have ever made with your idea. The act of filing a patent is a long process and most drugs and inventions have patents pending... in the industry that is as good as having a patent because of the consequences.