While governing-bodies may use the clause to keep out candidates, once inducted, a Hall of Famer's status is historically safe.

CNN: July 28, 2012 -- Updated 1425 GMT (2225 HKT)

The appeals court held that the agency had misinterpreted both the law governing patent term length and a clause barring the double-counting of overlapping prosecution delays.

FORBES: Novartis Challenges USPTO Patent Extension Policy