What is the definition of piracy in digital media?

Piracy in digital media refers to the unauthorized copying and sharing of media. This involves taking copyrighted material—such as music, movies, software, and other digital content—and distributing it without permission from the copyright owner. This practice violates intellectual property laws, as creators and producers rely on legal protections to control the distribution and use of their works. As a result, piracy undermines the economic incentives for artists and companies to develop new content.

The other choices do not capture the essence of digital piracy. Legal distribution of media with permissions refers to the proper channels and agreements that allow for the distribution of content, which is fundamentally different from piracy. Marketing digital media is related to promoting content rather than illicitly copying or sharing it. Lastly, free access to all digital content lacks context, as not all content is meant to be distributed for free, and free access does not equate to piracy; access is typically regulated by licensing agreements.