piracy

• pyracy (obsolete)

From Medieval Latin pīrātia, from Classical Latin pīrāta + ia, or Ancient Greek πειρατεία (peirateía).

piracy (countable and uncountable, plural piracies)

1. (nautical) Robbery at sea, a violation of international law; taking a ship away from the control of those who are legally entitled to it.

   Synonym: pirateship

   How should the international community respond to Somali piracy?

2. A similar violation of international law, such as hijacking of an aircraft.
3. The unauthorized duplication of goods protected by intellectual property law.

   Some video game consoles use specially designed cartridges to make software piracy more difficult.

   • 2022 March 11, “Russia has reportedly legalised piracy in the face of economic sanctions”, in GamesIndustry.biz‎:
4. The operation of an unlicensed radio or television station.
5. (ornithology) Kleptoparasitism.

• (robbery at sea): buccaneerism
• (breaking intellectual property law by making unauthorized copies): bootlegging, file sharing

• air piracy

• pirate
• pirate radio