What ethical consideration was upheld when a writer uses examples from similar manuals to write a new manual?

The correct response reflects an understanding of the concept of fair use within copyright law, which allows for the limited use of copyrighted material without permission from the rights holder under certain conditions. When a writer refers to examples from similar manuals, this can be seen as a form of fair use if the examples are used for commentary, criticism, or as a basis for creating something new, rather than merely copying the content verbatim.

In this context, fair use supports the idea that using relatable and existing examples can help clarify concepts in the new manual, making it more useful to the intended audience while still respecting the original creators. This practice can enhance the quality and relevance of the technical writing, so long as the new manual is not simply a reproduction of the examples but rather employs them to inform or inspire original content.

Acknowledging these principles emphasizes the balance between respecting intellectual property and promoting the dissemination of knowledge, which is vital in technical writing.