I've noticed several businesses online lift content from other websites. Does anyone think this is OK, and how can it be justified?

It is illegal and it also harms both the original website and the one that uses the copied content. Google sees that duplicate content and lowers the ranking of both sites for not having "unique" content. This is also a problem if you use an industry template website and use the template content instead of having new content written. There may be multiple websites in your industry with that same content. Your competitors who paid a writer to produce unique copy for their website will generally be more visible in searches than you when that is the case.

You can use Copyscape.com to check and see if your copy is located elsewhere on the web. 

BTW There are writers who copy portions of their content from other sites when writing for clients without realizing the issue. Request that your copy pass Copyscape as being at least 80% unique. 

It is not okay; it is plagiarism. It's businesses being lazy, and the businesses from whom they "borrowed" the words can report them and even take legal action. I specifically would avoid doing business with anyone who practices this. The exception to this is if someone, usually an artist or creator, includes a permission note that allows a post to be copied with attribution or a visible Creative Commons notice.

I do not think it is okay - as you said, it is plagiarism. There is no justification for stealing content. Just ask yourself, would you want someone to take credit for what you have done? 

On another note, Lawrence, why does the subject always read A Artists and Writers question for you? Shouldn't it say An Artist's and Writer's question for you? OR An Artists-and-Writers question for you? I think it is important to use proper grammer even in your subject lines.

Not OK without permission, and not a good idea even if it is.

It’s plagiarism. Beating women is the norm - but it’s a crime. You are allowed to make fun of websites so lazy and unoriginal they can’t Even write their own copy. Imagine how bad their products are!

Lance, I will use pictures and descriptions from the companies that I am selling the product for.  In other words, if I want to advertise that I am selling Lavender essential oil, I can use the info from Young Living, the company I deal with.  Using it for another brand is a big problem.  Even using it for the company I am repping, I always make sure I have something in writing from them to avoid any conflict.

As far as written content, I would never "borrow" someone elses wording.  There are enough ways to say the same thing without plagiarizing.

I started cracking down on other sites using my pics.  They need to compensate ME for my creative vision, time and product...  The photographers for their creative vision, time and product...  AND the model for who's likeness is used directly to better THEIR product/web site.  With verbiage... it's the same thing.  Intellectual Property!!!  Also, doing this speaks VOLUMES on how they conduct their business as well!!!!! 

It is NOT ok. Always give credit when taking someone else's words. Certainly people are clever enough to know what their business offers and can express it in their own words.

It's not Ok to do that without giving credit.

I believe you'll find that everywhere and unless the company can prove they wrote it first then there's no issue. At least that's what I believe. What a company should do,  instead of copying is try to be unique in their advertising. This would receive more returns if they do a good job.