It depends on the date of the patent issue. From that date they can have up to 18 years. Provided that they continue to keep the patent running. All to often ,a company will cease to continue payment on the patent and let it lapse but continue to have patent #xxxxxxxx, even though legally it is expired. The only way to be certain is to look up the patent number and find out when it expires.But if there is no real gain from what they are doing, I don't think you will see a flood of knockoff's.
I think that a well made cue can be just as good as a Pedator shaft or other counter part. But in the mind , if you spent X dollars on a front shaft you will make it work well. The power of the mind is a very powerfull tool in deed.
Neil
