Is it permissible to use a cracked (non-genuine) engineering software program to submit an architectural work requested for skills assessment for employment purposes, knowing that the use of such cracked programs is licensed only for training purposes?

The fatwa (definition) we adopt prohibits infringing on programs that their owners do not authorize for download at all, due to the effort and expenses they require, and because Islamic law protects the rights of their owners. The Islamic Fiqh Academy has resolved that copyrights and patents are legally protected. Some scholars have mentioned the permissibility of copying programs for personal use only, such as Ibn Uthaymeen, who permitted copying for oneself without commercial intent. For those who adopt this opinion out of necessity, it is hoped that there will be no harm upon them.