Logical ReasoningDifficulty: Easy

PT139 S4 Q13 Explanation

The proposed change to the patent system

A free, expert breakdown of this official LSAT Logical Reasoning question.

TopicsSufficient Assumption

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Stimulus

The proposed change to the patent system is bound to have a chilling effect on scientific research. Under current rules, researchers have one full year after the initial publication of a new discovery to patent the discovery. This allows research results to be shared widely prior to the patent initial publication, which would delay the communication of discoveries.

What this question is testing

Sufficient Assumption

Your task

Find the assumption that, if added, guarantees the conclusion follows.

Common trap

Answers that only partly bridge the gap, leaving the conclusion unproven.

Winning move

Identify the new term in the conclusion and pick the choice that links it to the evidence.

Reading along? Open the full official question in LawHub — we show a fragment here and keep the reasoning in our own words.

The question
13.

The conclusion drawn above follows logically if which one of the following

Answer choices

  1. Weakens3% picked this

    The proposed change will encourage more patent applications to

    This would weaken the argument that the proposed change would have a chilling effect on scientific research since more patent applications (not less) would be filed.

  2. Out of Scope2% picked this

    Dramatic advances in scientific research have occurred while the current patent system has

    Advances in scientific research that have occurred under the current rules are not relevant to establishing whether the proposed changes would negatively impact scientific research.

  3. Correct85% picked this

    Delays in the communication of discoveries will have a chilling effect

    Why this is right

    This bridges the gap DC ? CESR between delaying communication of discoveries and a chilling effect on scientific research.

    Skill tested: Sufficient Assumption · how this choice captures the argument's function is the move to repeat next time.

  4. Too Weak1% picked this

    Most researchers oppose the proposed change to the

    This does not indicate why most researchers oppose the proposed change to the patent system nor what the impact of such changes would be on scientific research.

  5. Negation10% picked this

    The current rules for patent applications facilitate progress in scientific research by rewarding the

    This negates the ~DC ? ~CESR assumption between delaying communication and a chilling effect on scientific research.

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