Exactly how liable the shareholders are is going to vary a lot by state. Generally a plaintiff has to show the shareholders exercised excessive control over the

Exactly how liable the shareholders are is going to vary a lot by state. Generally a plaintiff has to show the shareholders exercised excessive control over the corporation such that the corporation is essentially a sham. However, a person is generally liable for his own torts regardless of corporation. The shareholders might not be liable vis-à-vis the corporation, but the actual programmers and managers doing the infringement could likely be sued individually the same as if they weren't working for a corporation.