What constitutes copyright infringement in computing?

Using someone else's work without permission or credit constitutes copyright infringement because it directly violates the rights of the original creator. Copyright law is designed to protect the intellectual property of individuals and organizations, granting them exclusive rights to reproduce, distribute, and display their work. When someone uses another's work—such as code, images, music, or written content—without obtaining permission or providing appropriate attribution, they are unlawfully appropriating that work for their benefit. This act undermines the creator's ability to control how their work is used and potentially deprives them of recognition and compensation.

The other scenarios presented do not inherently involve copyright infringement. For instance, using software with a license key may be legitimate if done according to the terms of the license. Producing open-source software is legally permissible because it generally comes with licenses that allow users to modify and share the code. Sharing code with colleagues can also be acceptable, particularly if the code is shared within a collaborative environment where permissions and licenses have been addressed.