Which of the following is a legal and ethical practice?

Question

Options

• ACopying someone else's written work found on the Internet and presenting it as your own, as
• BTrying shareware for free and paying for it only after you decide to keep using it.
• CDownloading copyrighted artwork and using it as a background on your Web site.
• DDownloading music and motion pictures as long as they are from a peer-to-peer network.

• B
  94% (34)
• C
  3% (1)
• D
  3% (1)

Explanation

Option B is correct because shareware is specifically designed under a "try before you buy" model - using it during the trial period and paying only when you decide to keep it is exactly how the software is intended to be used, making it both legal and ethical.

Why the others are wrong:

• A describes plagiarism, which is both unethical and potentially illegal under copyright law, regardless of where the content was found.
• C violates copyright law - downloading and publicly displaying copyrighted artwork without a license or permission is infringement, even if it's "just a background."
• D is a common misconception; the source (peer-to-peer network) does not determine legality - distributing or downloading copyrighted music and films without authorization is infringement regardless of the method.

Memory tip: Think of the word shareware - "share, then pay if you stay." Any option involving taking someone else's creative work (writing, art, music, film) without permission or payment is a red flag for copyright violation.

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