PT139.S3.P3.Q20 > Analytics

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Passage A is from a 2007 article on the United States patent system; passage B is from a corporate statement.

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Critique · Of patent system

In theory, it should only be the "nonobvious" inventions that get patens.

Example · Patent upheld for "obvious" translation between Internet address and telephone number

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Critique · Patents too broad

In theory, patents should be narrow enough so others can "invent around" existing patents. But recently, patents are so broad that that's getting difficult.

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Negative Consequence · Large tech companies stockpile patents

This way, if they get sued for patent violations, they can countersue. If you're not a part of this "arms race" then you are defenseless against law suits.

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One Company's Perspective · Patents impede innovation; open-source is better

Whereas Passage A describes the problem with patents in software from a high level, Passage B takes the perspective of one software company affected by this problem and how they are responding to it.

Passage Style

20.

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Question Type

Meaning in context (of word, phrase, or idea)

Structure

This question is about how passage B relates to passage A, so we should tackle it after reading both passages. When author B talks about “this same stance,” she’s referring to the strategy of stockpiling patents. We’re looking for a phrase from passage A that likewise refers to stockpiling patents.

nonobvious (first sentence ██ ███████ ██

This refers the kinds of inventions that author A thinks patents should be limited to. But “this same stance” refers to the practice of stockpiling patents.” Since (A) has nothing to do with stockpiling patents, it’s incorrect.

invent around (first ████████ ██ ███ ██████ █████████ ██ ███████ ██

This refers to the ideal-world practice of inventing things without infringing on others’ patents. But “this same stance” refers to the real-world practice of stockpiling patents so that you have some protection if and when you do infringe on others’ patents. Since (B) has nothing to do with stockpiling patents, it’s incorrect.

lowered the bar ███████████████ ████████ ██ ███ ██████ █████████ ██ ███████ ██

This refers to what courts think qualifies as an non-obvious invention. But “this same stance” refers to the practice of stockpiling patents.” Since (A) has nothing to do with stockpiling patents, it’s incorrect.

credible deterrent (second ████████ ██ ███ █████ █████████ ██ ███████ ██

This refers to the practice of stockpiling patents, which is the same thing that “this same stance” refers to.

92%

modular components (first ████████ ██ ███ ████ █████████ ██ ███████ ██

This refers to how software is developed. But “this same stance” refers to the practice of stockpiling patents.” Since (A) has nothing to do with stockpiling patents, it’s incorrect.

PrepTest 139 - Section 3 - Passage 3 - Question 20

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