Sending across ebooks/software for your worker.Does it violate copyrights?

Hi,

I am wondering the cases below violate copyrights (or copyrights law).
I assume they do, (So please don't tell me strongly "DON'T DO IT It'S ILLEGAL!!" I was not going to)but just to make sure,
if you could reply it would be appreciated.

(case 1)
Let's say I hire a freelance programer for a software program.
And I want a specific function. I have a software program which has the same function I want. But it is difficult to explain that by email etc.
So I send across the software so that the programer would know/see exactly what I want.

(case 2)
Let's say I want some articles written by a freelance writer. I want it based on some e-books (the ideas are based on them, or want them used as references). So I send across the e-books for them to read.

In both cases, I think I should buy the software or e-books again for the workers. Or pay them for them to buy themselves.

However- this is the only reasoning I can think that it MIGHT be OK - if they are your real workers in your company (not freelancers - or freelancers who actually work in your office), you wouldn't buy the products twice to just show them(...right? maybe I'm wrong here?) The workers can read the e-books, or use your software to see the functions in your office. Especially if they are physical books it would never be a problem, would it?

So in the freelance world, if they are considered to be your temporal worker/employee, I thought it MIGHT be ok to send them.

Thanks