Patents

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Patents

by gmatmachoman » Sun Dec 06, 2009 3:22 am
The current move to patent computer programs is a move in the wrong direction and should be stopped. The patent system was originally designed solely to protect small-time inventors from exploitation. not to give large corporations control over a methodology. Any computer program is merely the implementation of a methodology.

Which one of the following is an assumption on which the argument depends?

(A) Computer programs should be developed not only by large corporations but by small-time inventors as well.
(B) Implementing a methodology always requires less creative effort than does true invention
(C) The issue of whether or not to patent computer programs presents the patent system with problems that have never before arisen
(D) Large corporations should not hold patents for implementations of methodologies
(E) Small-time inventors who support the move to patent computer programs act contrary to their own best interests


OA: After discussion
Source: — Critical Reasoning |

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by pandeyvineet24 » Sun Dec 06, 2009 9:21 am
IMO D

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by scoobydooby » Sun Dec 06, 2009 9:24 am
would go for D. others seem to be out of scope

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by Testluv » Sun Dec 06, 2009 6:44 pm
Definitely choice D.

His conclusion is that we shouldn't allow corporations to patent computer programs.

His evidence is (1) that the patent system was originally designed to protect (small-time) inventors not to protect corporations' control over methodology, and (2) computer programs are implementations of methodologies (ie, they are not inventions).

Choice D reads: Large corporations should not hold patents for implementations of methodologies.

Does his argument depend on choice D?

Let's see if his argument survives the removal or denial of choice D:

Choice D denied: Large corporations SHOULD hold patents for implementations of methodologies.

So, when we deny choice D, what happens to the argument? Clearly, his argument (that corporations should not allow to patent computer programs because computer programs are implementations of methodologies) falls apart.

Because the argument disintegrates in the absence of choice D, the argument's logical existence depends on choice D.
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by joseph32 » Sun May 15, 2016 10:35 pm
D seems to be the best choice here