Software piracy is a real issue in the modern world. Many software entrepreneurs have worked tirelessly to create new software products – including video games, apps, SaaS, and much more. Seeing these finished products stolen, pirated, and distributed among illegal users can be heartbreaking. So what can you do to stop this from happening? What is the extent of this problem, and what are some legal tools you can use to protect your intellectual property? Let’s find out:

Piracy is a Real Issue

 Piracy is a real concern for software developers in the United States, and many of the issues are caused by other nations. For example, on February 1, 2023, the United States accused China of failing to address the trade of counterfeit goods – including software products. The US also stressed that IP-intensive industries like SaaS supported 44% of the entire American workforce – or 63 million jobs.

Eastern Europe also poses threats, and in January of 2023, it was reported that Belarus had legalized the piracy of software, including video games. This was part of ongoing tensions between western nations and Russia and its allies. Russia has done something similar to this, and users in these countries now have free reign to pirate a range of software products with virtually no consequences. Many other nations are struggling to protect US intellectual property – and even Canada is considered one of the worst countries in the world for this issue.

But the problem is not just shady hackers in unfriendly nations. Even the biggest corporations in the world are accused of pirating software and claiming it as their own work. In late January of 2023, it was reported that Microsoft and GitHub were fighting a lawsuit claiming that they had stolen AI code to create a product called Copilot. Two anonymous software developers have accused Microsoft and GitHub of “piracy on an unprecedented scale.”

How Do I Protect My Software From Being Pirated?

 One of the best things you can do to protect your software from privacy is to get in touch with an experienced tech lawyer. Our legal professionals can help you get started with trial software licenses, DMCA requests, license keys, and many other effective tools to prevent piracy. These steps are well worth the effort, as it is much more costly to file a lawsuit after your software has already been pirated. Put the legal protections in place before you encounter issues, and you can avoid the expensive, time-consuming process of suing another party for stealing your code or distributing your software without permission.

Where Can I Find a Qualified Tech Lawyer in New Jersey?

 The best way to protect your software from piracy is to contact a qualified New Jersey tech lawyer at your earliest convenience. Choose John P. O’Brien, Attorney at Law, LLC, and get started with a solid action plan right away. During your consultation, we can discuss your specific situation and unique needs. From there, we can explore a range of options to help you protect your intellectual property. Reach out today to get started.