Emily sold the following investments during the year: stock date purchased date sold sales price cost basis a. 1,000 shares dot com co. 03-21-2007 02-04-2018 $20,000 $5,000 b. 500 shares big box store 05-19-2017 01-22-2018 $8,200 $7,500 c. 300 shares lotta fun, inc. 10-02-2017 09-21-2018 $3,000 $4,500 d. 700 shares local gas co. 06-17-2017 11-11-2018 $14,000 $17,000 for each stock, calculate the amount and the nature of the gain or loss.

Patent rights generally remain enforceable for 5-20 years, depending on the invention and the country.  THIS IS TRUE.

English patents - 14 year term
American patents - 17 year term. A compromise between the historical 14 years and potential 21 years of protection.
Italy and Mexico - 15 years from date of application
Japan - 15 years from publication
United Kingdom - 16 years from filing of specifications
Germany - 18 years from application
France - 20 years from filing
Argentina and Chile - 5, 10, 15 years depending on the type of invention.