[matjazdrolc]

Don't overthink this hypothetical scenario. When/if it happens you should be able to prove you're the original owner of the code and make sure any product based on stolen code in taken down.

Rather spend your brainpower on making the product better. Steer the product towards a future where this code leak is irrelevant because the product moved forward so much. Leverage this negative experience to make sure you'll remain the customers' preferred choice even if they can get today's version for free.

Product is so much more than the code. You have assets which you may not yet see as such:

- mistakes made and learned from. These can also come in form of code in the automated test suite.

- machinery around the product: cash flows, relationships between people involved (inside the team, and with customers)

- market insights

[mbrodersen]

Yep you are absolutely right. Software is only a small part of running a successful business.

[Aditya_Garg]

Genuine question, how do you figure out if a competitors product is based on stolen code?

[matjazdrolc]

Depends on how much effort they put in to conceal it and the type of product. There is no universal way to figure this out.