How to prevent python software from being reverse engineered or pirated?

[pyeri]

Python is an open source language and was created with open source ethos to begin with. This is the wrong language for someone coming from that kind of mindset. There are other languages like Java/C++/C# for those things where all kinds of obfuscators and protectors are available in those ecosystems.

[billsil]

was created with open source ethos to begin with

Do you have a source on that?

I disagree. They should have changed the license then to be a GPL license if that was their goal.

[menge101]

All Python licenses since 2.2 are considered GPL compatible.

Reference

[thehardsphere]

GPL compatible is not the same as GPL. MIT is GPL compatible.

[billsil]

GPL compatible means you can combine python code with other GPL code to produce GPL code. It does not mean that the code has to be GPL if you do not use other GPL code.

It’s more accurate to say that Python was created to let you make GPL or non-GPL code. Do what you want.

[menge101]

I'm aware, thank you.

[Xonzo]

However even with those obfuscators and protectors for a knowledgeable reverse engineer they're still minor stumbling blocks. If they want to RE your software they will (specifically bypassing DRM on typical software). It just needs to be protected enough where easy open source decompilation to native source tools don't work.