The figurative IP rights infringement sense of the word "piracy" is over 250 years old. Source: OED [1], 2. fig. The appropriation and reproduction of an inve

The figurative IP rights infringement sense of the word "piracy" is over 250 years old. Source: OED [1], 2. fig. The appropriation and reproduction of an invention or work of another for one's own profit, without authority; infringement of the rights conferred by a patent or copyright. 1771 Luckombe Hist. Print. 76 They..would suffer by this act of piracy, since it was likely to prove a very bad edition. [1] https://archive.org/details/the-oxford-english-dictionary-1933-all-volumes/The%20Oxford%20English%20Dictionary%20Volume%207/page/901/mode/1up https://archive.org/details/the-oxford-english-dictionary-19...