Question

Which scenario describes the ethical use of someone else’s original work?
A student presents a series of paintings in the public domain for an art history project, crediting each painter.
A comedian writes a parody sketch based on a recent and popular musical.
A designer uses several vintage fashion designs to create new designs to sell.
A critic includes a long excerpt from the end of a novel he is reviewing, crediting the author.

Answer 1

The scenario that best describes the ethical use of someone else’s original work is:

**A student presents a series of paintings in the public domain for an art history project, crediting each painter.**

This scenario involves the use of works that are in the public domain, meaning they can be used freely without infringement, and the student is also providing proper credit to the original painters. This aligns with ethical guidelines for using someone else's work.

The other scenarios may raise ethical concerns:
- A parody sketch can be considered fair use, but its ethical implications may depend on how it is executed.
- A designer using vintage designs to create new designs could be problematic if the original designs are still copyright protected.
- A critic including a long excerpt from a novel might be excessive for fair use, which usually allows for only brief quotations, even with credit.