Hiram Is a Computer Engineer And, While Unemployed, Invents a Switching

question 63

Multiple Choice

Hiram is a computer engineer and, while unemployed, invents a switching device for computer networks. He patents the device, but does not reduce it to practice. Hiram has a zero tax basis for the patent. In consideration of $800,000 plus a $1 royalty per device sold, Hiram assigns the patent to a computer manufacturing company. Hiram assigned all substantial rights in the patent. Which of the following is correct?

• A)Hiram automatically has long-term capital gain from the lump sum payment, but not from the royalty payments.
• B)Hiram automatically has long-term capital gain from the royalty payments, but not from the lump sum payment.
• C)Hiram automatically has long-term capital gain from both the lump sum payment and the royalty payments.
• D)Hiram does not have automatic long-term capital gain from either the lump sum payment or the royalty payments.
• E)None of the above.

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Definitions:

Cyclical Unemployment

Unemployment that arises during periods of economic downturn or recession, reflecting the overall health of the economy rather than individual or structural factors.

Frictional

Pertaining to the period of time and inefficiency in processes where resources, especially labor, move from one employment to another, contributing to transient joblessness.

Unemployment Rate

The portion of the labor market that is out of work and actively pursuing job opportunities.

Decades

Periods of ten years, used as a measure of time to describe longer trends in history, economics, or demography.