A programmer hacks software code to understand how it works. Then she writes a program that replicates the implementation of a solution that has already been granted intellectual property protection. This is an example of a:

Patent violation.

Explanation:

Patent can be defined as the exclusive or sole right granted to an inventor by a sovereign authority such as a government, which enables him or her to manufacture, use, or sell an invention for a specific period of time.

Generally, patents are used on innovation for products that are manufactured through the application of various technologies.

Basically, the three (3) main ways to protect an intellectual property is to employ the use of trademarks, copyright and patents.

In this scenario, a programmer hacks software code to understand how it works. Then she writes a program that replicates the implementation of a solution that has already been granted intellectual property protection.

Hence, this is an example of a patent violation because she was not given the permission or rights by the intellectual property owner to modify the software.