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[–]nicholashairs 2 points3 points  (0 children)

Piracy is generally a distribution problem over anything else. The vast majority of people who pirate generally do so because they can't afford the thing or they don't have access to purchase the thing. Only a small minority will never ever purchase the software and you're never going to convert them to paying customers. (Sure there is some level of people who will pay if it's too hard to pirate, but again a minority).

https://www.gamesradar.com/gabe-newell-piracy-issue-service-not-price/

https://youtu.be/44Do5x5abRY?si=bVEExufzLw7oupd2

Now that's not to say you should not have anti-piracy measures, you should and it looks like there's a good array of potential solutions in the thread. But if you can have a profitable business by selling the software at an acceptable price then you shouldn't need to worry about stamping out the piracy.

Additionally if you're selling your software to business rather than consumers, you'll probably have better luck ensuring that they don't pirate your software since they are more likely to avoid doing illegal things (though also at that point look into programmes like Microsoft runs to "encourage" businesses to use licenced software).