Re:Ask HN: Someone has stolen my software and is selling it ...
by Someone1234 on Tuesday September 01, 2015 @04:03PM
(#10155288)
If it is an app, then I'd contact Google/Apple/Microsoft/etc.
If it is desktop software then I'd target the host and try to get it taken down. This might require a lawyer to write up a letter, or you can likely use the DMCA if the host is physically located in the US. If they're located abroad and hosted abroad, this all becomes tricky (since you'll be subject to their local laws, not yours).
I would immediately look at technical solutions to make it more expensive to steal future versions. You cannot make it impossible to steal, all you can do is make it hard enough to not be worth the small profits they'll make off of illegally selling it (these businesses operate on-mass, they don't make a ton each piece of software).
You can also target their payment processor. Just click "buy" until you go to a third party's website and then report the fraud.
If it is desktop software then I'd target the host and try to get it taken down. This might require a lawyer to write up a letter, or you can likely use the DMCA if the host is physically located in the US. If they're located abroad and hosted abroad, this all becomes tricky (since you'll be subject to their local laws, not yours).
I would immediately look at technical solutions to make it more expensive to steal future versions. You cannot make it impossible to steal, all you can do is make it hard enough to not be worth the small profits they'll make off of illegally selling it (these businesses operate on-mass, they don't make a ton each piece of software).
You can also target their payment processor. Just click "buy" until you go to a third party's website and then report the fraud.