CPW Writing Ethics and Copyright 2

Question 1

A freelance writer copies three sentences verbatim from a published article without attribution and includes them in a client deliverable. This is best described as:

Accepted Answer

Plagiarism

Answer

Paraphrasing

Answer

Fair use

Answer

Transformative use

Question 2

Under US copyright law, which element is NOT required for a work to receive copyright protection?

Accepted Answer

Registration with the Copyright Office

Answer

Originality

Answer

Fixation in a tangible medium

Answer

A human author

Question 3

A technical writer is asked by their employer to omit safety warnings from a user manual to save space. The ethical response is to:

Accepted Answer

Refuse and document the request, citing reader safety obligations

Answer

Comply because the employer has final authority

Answer

Omit the warnings but note it in a memo

Answer

Add warnings in a font size too small to read

Question 4

The doctrine of 'work made for hire' means that:

Accepted Answer

The employer or commissioning party owns the copyright

Answer

The writer retains copyright but grants a license

Answer

The writer and employer share copyright equally

Answer

Copyright is waived entirely

Question 5

Which of the following best defines 'transformative use' in copyright fair use analysis?

Accepted Answer

Adding new meaning, expression, or message beyond the original

Answer

Using a work for educational purposes only

Answer

Translating a work into another language

Answer

Summarizing a copyrighted work

Question 6

A content writer discovers their published article was ghostwritten by a colleague who received no credit. What ethical principle does this situation implicate?

Accepted Answer

Attribution and authorship integrity

Answer

Informed consent

Answer

Conflict of interest

Answer

Confidentiality

Question 7

When writing a sponsored article, ethical practice requires the writer to:

Accepted Answer

Disclose the sponsorship relationship to readers

Answer

Present the content as editorial to maximize credibility

Answer

Avoid mentioning the sponsor's product

Answer

Submit without disclosing to the editor