CPW Writing Ethics and Copyright 3 — Questions and Answers
Question 1: The copyright term for a work created by an individual author in the US today generally lasts:
- 28 years from publication
- 50 years from creation
- Life of the author plus 70 years (Correct answer)
- 95 years from publication
Correct answer: Life of the author plus 70 years
For works created by individual authors after January 1, 1978, US copyright lasts for the life of the author plus 70 years.
Question 2: Which scenario most clearly qualifies as fair use when quoting a copyrighted poem?
- Reproducing the entire poem in an anthology for sale
- Quoting two lines in a critical book review (Correct answer)
- Printing the poem on greeting cards without permission
- Using the poem in an advertisement
Correct answer: Quoting two lines in a critical book review
Quoting a brief portion for criticism or commentary is a classic fair use, especially when it does not substitute for the original.
Question 3: A writer fabricates a quote and attributes it to a real expert in a published piece. This violates which core ethical principle?
- Confidentiality
- Accuracy and truthfulness (Correct answer)
- Copyright law
- Non-disclosure agreements
Correct answer: Accuracy and truthfulness
Fabricating quotes violates the fundamental journalistic and professional writing principle of accuracy, and can also constitute defamation.
Question 4: Creative Commons licenses allow rights holders to:
- Transfer copyright ownership permanently to the public
- Grant specific permissions while retaining copyright (Correct answer)
- Waive all legal rights to their work
- Register works with the Copyright Office at no cost
Correct answer: Grant specific permissions while retaining copyright
Creative Commons licenses let creators retain copyright while granting specific, standardized permissions to the public for reuse.
Question 5: A writer uses AI to generate a full article and submits it under their own byline without disclosure. The primary ethical concern is:
- Copyright infringement of the AI's output
- Misrepresentation of authorship and transparency (Correct answer)
- Violation of the work-for-hire doctrine
- Breach of the first-sale doctrine
Correct answer: Misrepresentation of authorship and transparency
Submitting AI-generated content as one's own work without disclosure misrepresents authorship and deceives editors and readers.
Question 6: A journalist promises a source anonymity, then names them in the article under editor pressure. This breaches which ethical duty?
- Accuracy
- Minimizing harm
- Confidentiality of sources (Correct answer)
- Avoiding conflicts of interest
Correct answer: Confidentiality of sources
Protecting promised source confidentiality is a foundational journalistic obligation; violating it endangers sources and damages press credibility.
Question 7: Which factor is NOT one of the four statutory fair use factors courts consider?
- Purpose and character of the use
- Amount of the work used
- The author's nationality (Correct answer)
- Effect on the market for the original
Correct answer: The author's nationality
The four fair use factors focus on purpose, nature, amount, and market effect; the author's nationality is irrelevant to this analysis.
CPW Writing Ethics and Copyright 3
The copyright term for a work created by an individual author in the US today generally lasts: