Quote:
Originally Posted by sugarpop
No, the constitution doesn't specify exactly how long. But if you look at the copyright and patent laws during that period, and even after, it's pretty clear copyrights/patents weren't meant to stay in the hands of the creators for more than a short period of tiem. After all, the rest of the clause says, To promote the progress of science and useful arts, by securing for limited times...
The courts extending the limits for decades is not in the spirit of what was meant.
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There is no "spirit". There is black letter law, and opinion.