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#33623
Complete Question Explanation
(See the complete passage discussion here: lsat/viewtopic.php?t=13783)

The correct answer choice is (B)

Passage Exclusivity questions ask about information contained in only one of the two passages. Here, the question specifically asks you to exclude passage B from consideration: the correct answer choice can be proven only by reference to passage A. Instead of attempting to formulate a precise prephrase, eliminate any answer choice containing an item that appears in both passages, or in neither of them, or in passage B only.

Answer choice (A): This answer choice is incorrect, because the accumulation of patents by software companies is mentioned in both passages.

Answer choice (B): This is the correct answer choice, because the cost of finding all the patents a product may infringe upon is mentioned in passage A (lines 32-34), but not in passage B. Passage B only mentions the high cost of litigation (line 53), which is a different issue altogether.

Answer choice (C): The negative effect of patents on software development is mentioned in both passages; in fact, it is a central idea in passage B. This answer choice is incorrect.

Answer choice (D): This is the Reverse answer choice, as the high cost patent litigation is mentioned in passage B (line 53), but not in passage A.

Answer choice (E): This is another Reverse answer choice, because the “questionable” nature of software patents is discussed in passage B (line 51) but not in passage A.
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 kathyshaffer
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#113501
Hello,
I honestly need some help understanding why D and C are wrong. They all seem correct to me. Thanks whoever helps me!
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 Jeff Wren
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#113516
Hi kathy,

First, I want to make sure that you're clear on what this question is asking. You're looking for an answer that contains an idea that is mentioned in Passage A, but is not mentioned in Passage B. If an answer contains an idea that was mentioned in both passages, it is wrong. In other words, if an answer appears anywhere in Passage B, it is wrong.

Answer C states "the negative effects of software development." As stated in the explanation in Post #1 above, this idea is mentioned in Passage B, which makes this answer incorrect. It is specifically mentioned in the very first sentence of Passage B, "patents generally impede innovations in software development" (lines 39-40).

Answer D states "the high cost of patent litigation in general" As stated in the explanation in Post #1 above, this idea is also mentioned in Passage B, which makes this answer incorrect. It is specifically mentioned at the end of paragraph two, "because of the high cost of patent litigation" (lines 52-53).

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