Question 27

Freeware is protected by copyright laws but is available at no cost.

Freeware refers to software that is distributed at no cost while still being protected by copyright laws. Users can download and use this software without payment, but the copyright owner retains the rights to the software.

A) Freeware

Freeware is a category of software that is made available to users at no cost, but it is still protected by copyright law. This means that while users can download and use the software for free, they do not have the right to modify, distribute, or sell it without permission from the copyright holder.

B) Closed-source

Closed-source software is not available for free and is typically sold under a license that restricts access to the source code. This category of software is not available at no cost, thus it does not fit the criteria outlined in the question.

C) Shareware

Shareware is a type of software that is initially offered for free but usually has limitations or requires payment for full features. Since shareware is not entirely free and often requires a transaction to unlock its full potential, it does not qualify as software available at no cost.

D) Public domain

Public domain software is not protected by copyright laws and can be used freely without restrictions. However, it is fundamentally different from freeware, as public domain software does not have any copyright protections, while freeware is still under copyright, albeit offered at no cost.

Conclusion

Freeware is the only option that accurately reflects software that is both protected by copyright laws and available at no cost. The other options either involve costs, restrictions, or lack copyright protection entirely, making them unsuitable answers to the question posed.