piracy
PY-ruh-see
/ˈpaɪ.rə.si/
The unauthorized use, reproduction, or distribution of copyrighted material or patented inventions.
Emphasizes illegal copying and distribution, especially in digital media, software, and entertainment.
The story behind the word. Originally referring strictly to high-seas robbery by pirates, the term was applied as early as the 17th century to printers who illegally reprinted books without the author's authorization.
Word relationships
- bootlegging: Bootlegging specifically implies illegal manufacture and distribution of physical recordings or illicit physical goods.
- legitimate distribution: Authorized selling or sharing of media under proper copyright license.
Commonly confused with
- plagiarism: Piracy is illegal duplication and distribution for gain; plagiarism is claiming another's work as your own academic/artistic creation.
Word family
- pirate (noun/verb): One who commits piracy; or to illegally copy.
- pirated (adjective): Illegally reproduced or distributed.
Collocations
- digital piracy
- software piracy
- combat piracy
- piracy website
Example sentences
- "Digital piracy costs the entertainment industry billions of dollars each year in lost video stream revenues." Film industry policy report
- "Authorities shut down several offshore websites engaged in the illegal piracy of proprietary software." Tech regulation news
Memory hook
PIRACY at sea takes physical cargo; digital PIRACY takes digital content. PIRACY = High-seas robbery of intellectual property.
When not to use
Do not use 'piracy' when referring to internal textual copying without credit in academic contexts (use 'plagiarism').
Fun facts
- In 1660, English publishers established the Stationers' Register to explicitly suppress book 'piracy' across London.
Related words
Explore more words
infringement, plagiarize, intellectual property, copyright, patent, citation
Take your vocabulary further with LangBlitz
Our English vocabulary app: FSRS spaced repetition, 5,000+ curated words across 119 topic groups, CEFR A1 to C2. Explore your mastery with the beautiful Vocabulary World feature.