Final answer:
Under copyright law, making copies of a copyrighted article for distribution may be considered a violation unless it falls under 'fair use' or appropriate licenses permit such actions. Personal use, like making a single copy to read at home, typically falls under 'fair use'. It's important to always seek permission for use or rely on licensed resources.
Step-by-step explanation:
Understanding Copyright Law and Intellectual Property
When dealing with copyrighted material, such as an article about the effects of industrial pollution on plant growth, it’s important to understand what actions are protected under copyright law. Copyright law grants the copyright holder exclusive rights including the reproduction, distribution, and adaptation of their work. However, some content may be shared under licenses allowing certain uses, such as Creative Commons licenses, which typically allow copying and distribution for noncommercial purposes.
Regarding the scenarios presented:
Making enough copies to distribute to other students in the class may be considered a violation, unless the use qualifies as 'fair use', or unless the author has expressly permitted educational distribution.
Making copies for your study group is also likely prohibited without permission, though it may be allowed under 'fair use' if the number of copies is limited and for educational purposes.
Making a single copy for personal use, to read at home, is generally covered under 'fair use'.
Ultimately, each case must be considered individually, taking into account the nature of the copyrighted work, the amount copied, the purpose of the use, and the potential market impact on the original work. To avoid legal complications, always seek permission or rely on legally obtained or licensed resources for educational and research purposes.