Which of the following describes unauthorized reproduction in the context of digital media?

Unauthorized reproduction in the context of digital media occurs when someone uses digital products without permission, especially for profit. This can involve activities such as pirating software, illegally distributing copyrighted materials, or using copyrighted content in a way that violates the rights of the owner. Such actions not only infringe on intellectual property rights but may also lead to legal consequences as they undermine the creator's ability to profit from their work and diminish the value of original intellectual property.

The other options describe activities that are generally permissible under certain conditions. For instance, legal copying for personal use may involve making a copy of a digital product for one’s own use without distributing it further, which often falls under fair use. Sharing software legally with others usually requires adhering to specific licensing agreements provided by the software creator. Creating backups of purchased software is typically allowed and encouraged to protect against data loss, as long as the original software is owned. However, these activities do not involve unauthorized reproduction, which is specifically associated with the exploitation or distribution of digital media without proper rights or permissions.