[4CJ]

Oh boy, now we'll spend 500 posts uncovering the true definition of perpetual! (again)

Seven - 7 - years. That's how long the Articles of Confederation & Perpetual Union lasted.

[Gianni]

Seven - 7 - years.

Perhaps Webster had incentive to define it differently?

PERPETUAL. That which is to last without limitation as to time; as, a perpetual statute, which is one without limit as to time, although not expressed to be so.

Sounds to me more like "unspecified" than "neverending."