Academic policy here is very clear, any copying is cheating unless the assignment explicitly allows group work. I guess it's possible other colleges are different but I doubt it.
As a TA I have zero qualms about giving people a zero if I catch them copying. They know it's not allowed, and they still do it.
As a TA I have zero qualms about giving people a zero if I catch them copying. They know it's not allowed, and they still do it.