As Part of His Preparation for a Debate on Whether

question 109

Multiple Choice

As part of his preparation for a debate on whether the Criminal Code should be amended to include a crime for the unauthorized use of computer programs, Joe photocopied a short essay on the topic to study at home. The essay proved to be an excellent argument for his side -- namely, that such a crime should be created. Although some of the other articles advanced different arguments he could use, Joe was short of time and just turned in the essay as his own and later used its ideas in the debate. Which of the following is true?

• A) Using the essay's arguments in the debate is an infringement of copyright even though they would be expressed in Joe's own words.
• B) Joe cannot use the essay in any way without infringing copyright.
• C) There would be an infringement of copyright when Joe used the essay as his own work.
• D) The first time Joe copied the essay was clearly an infringement of copyright; there is no defence available to him.
• E) There can be no infringement of copyright by a student.