The current move to patent computer programs is a move in the wrong di

Question

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.

dipzz · Answer

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.

(D) Large corporations should not hold patents for implementations of methodologies.  Correct

1)computer program is the  implementation of a methodology. 
2)Large corp should not be given control over a  methodology .

Option D correctly extends this view to  implementation of methodology .

skiingforthewknds · Answer

This one felt trickier than it should have, I got it right but I took 2 min. Answer D felt too simple but the other choices felt like you were hiking through mud, lots of garbage. What's the source of this?

Rock750 · Answer

I also got it right in 1.26 but i wasn't convinced at all, i was more intuitive than thinking even if i'm quite good at this type of question using the technique of negation. And this is what makes finding the correct answer harsh and difficult where the stem is quite simple.

gmatprav · Answer

This is an assumption question, however D seems to be restating the purpose of a patent which is given in the argument itself. Then will it be an assumption? B on the other hand gives an assumption for this sentence in the argument. "Any computer program is merely the implementation of a methodology."

Any thoughts?

Any thoughts?

clearmountain · Answer

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.

(D) Large corporations should not hold patents for implementations of methodologies.

This is a good example of what I call the "vanilla question" or to quote Homer Simpson the "D'oh!" question. The hardest assumption questions are the ones where the assumptions are so basic you don't even recognize that you are assuming it! It is the assumption that underlies everything else. Use the negation technique to identify. If that assumption is wrong then all the other answers are rendered moot.

Conclusion: The current move to patent computer programs is a move in the wrong direction and should be stopped.

Premises: 1) The patent system was originally designed to protect small investors from exploitation
 2) the patent system was not designed to give corporations control over a methodology.
 3) any computer program is merely the implementation of a methodology

Assumption: a basic implicit understanding : corporations shouldn't hold patents for implementations of methodologies.

Abhishek009 · Answer

Patenting Computer Programmes should be stopped since it is moving in the wrong direction.

Originally - Designed to protect small Investors.

Now - Exploited by Large Corporations over methodology.

Computer Program is merely implementation of 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.

Irrelevant.

(B) Implementing a methodology always  requires less creative effort than does true invention.

Out of scope.

(C) The issue of whether or not to patent computer programs presents the patent system with   problems that have never before arisen.

Out of scope and Irrelevant.

(D) Large corporations should not hold patents for implementations of methodologies.

True , if Large Companies hold Patents for Implementation of methodology then it will not foster fair competition.

(E) Small-time inventors who support the move to  patent computer programs act contrary to their own best interests.

Not at all true , but are trying to protect their own best Interest...

IMO (D)

Rickooreo · Answer

Abhishek009   ExpertsGlobal5

Can you please help me understand how to eliminate opiton A
Negation of A - Computer programs should be developed   not     only by   large corporations but  not  by small-time inventors  as well.

Negating weakens the conclusion and hence A seems to be an assumption

unraveled · Answer

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. - WRONG. Not a necessary condition so that it can be an assumption.

(B) Implementing a methodology always requires  less creative effort than  does true invention. - WRONG. Again like A not necessary.

(C) The issue of whether or not to patent computer programs presents the patent system with problems that have never before arisen. - WRONG. Bland.

(D) Large corporations  should not hold patents for implementations  of methodologies. - CORRECT. Connects methodology, large corporations and implementation of methodology.

(E) Small-time inventors who support the move to patent computer programs act contrary to their own best interests. - WRONG. Yes, they might be acting contrary but that does not affect the conclusion.

Answer D.

callingTardis · Answer

@MartyMurray @KarishmaB @DmitryFarber Isnt the correct option a contradiction of the premise ? when i read the question stem, I cannot find any holes in the argument and even ACT is not working.

Sneha2021 · Answer

MartyMurray   KarishmaB

why E is incorrect?

(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.
If small inventors doesnot act contrary to their own interest, they might support to that the current move to patent computer programs should not be stopped.

Why will the negation of A? "not a but b" structure

Thank you for your help!

chandy123 · Answer

Answer : D

Explanation:

Understanding the Argument:
• Conclusion: The move to patent computer programs is wrong and should be stopped.
• Premises:
1. The patent system was originally designed solely to protect small-time inventors from exploitation.
2. The patent system was not intended to give large corporations control over a methodology.
3. Any computer program is merely the implementation of a methodology.

Identifying the Assumption:

The argument connects the premises to the conclusion by implying that patenting computer programs would give large corporations control over methodologies, which contradicts the original intent of the patent system.

For the argument to hold, it depends on the assumption that:
• It’s inappropriate for large corporations to hold patents on implementations of methodologies (i.e., computer programs).

This assumption fills the gap between the premises and the conclusion, allowing the argument to assert that patenting computer programs is against the purpose of the patent system and should be stopped.

Analyzing the Options:
• (A) Computer programs should be developed not only by large corporations but by small-time inventors as well.
• This is not necessary for the argument. The argument focuses on the purpose of the patent system, not on who should develop programs.
• (B) Implementing a methodology always requires less creative effort than does true invention.
• The argument does not hinge on the level of creative effort but on the nature of computer programs as implementations of methodologies.
• (C) The issue of whether or not to patent computer programs presents the patent system with problems that have never before arisen.
• Irrelevant. The uniqueness of the problem is not addressed in the argument.
• (D) Large corporations should not hold patents for implementations of methodologies.
• Correct. This is the assumption the argument depends on. If large corporations should hold such patents, the argument falls apart.
• (E) Small-time inventors who support the move to patent computer programs act contrary to their own best interests.
• This is not necessary for the argument. The argument doesn’t discuss the actions of small-time inventors regarding the move.

Negation Test:

Applying the negation test to option (D):
• Negated: Large corporations should hold patents for implementations of methodologies.

If this is true, the argument that patenting computer programs is wrong because it gives large corporations control over methodologies would not hold, thus destroying the argument. Therefore, option (D) is an assumption on which the argument depends.

KarishmaB · Answer

Premises:

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.

Conclusion:   The current move to patent computer programs is a move in the wrong direction and should be stopped.

In the premises, the author says that computer programs are merely the implementation of a methodology. In the conclusion he says that patenting computer programs should not be allowed. So he has assumed that no-one should hold patents for implementations of methodologies. Note that he doesn't specifically mention this. 
Hence it is an assumption. It is one of those cases where we feel that it is just so obvious but if the author has not mentioned it, it is an assumption. 
Hence (D) is correct.

Answer (D)

(E) Small-time inventors who support the move to patent computer programs act contrary to their own best interests.

This is not necessary. For a small time investor planning to patent a computer program it could be a step in the right direction for his business. He may be supporting the move. We cannot make a blanket statement and this is not something that the author assumes must hold true for all small time investors. He thinks that patenting computer programs is wrong. In fact, he just mentions why patent system was developed. Does it provide any meaningful data to us - perhaps not.

VerbalBot · Answer

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The current move to patent computer programs is a move in the wrong di

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