Extension of the patents was referenced at the SHM. Several of the BOD members and DL responded with assuring nods to one another when the question was posed. The read I got on it was ( and I seem to recall one of them saying this ) they have "fixed" that. They even were smiling to one another. This is why attending the SHMs is a good thing. It's why they should have SHMs.
Anyone else who was there is welcome to offer their take or recollections.