Protecting python source code [duplicate]

Question

I want to protect python script, since people most likely known to be jerks and steal someones work i would really like to protect it. Its sad how easily it can be stolen... copy paste my work that i spent months in and then someone changes bits and claims it for himself.

How can i prevent anyone from seeing code? (i tried py2exe and similar, but that most often is suspicious to user since its .exe and i don't want anyone to be afraid of my software)

Linux Python2 & Python3

Answer 1

There are two questions here: code protection and property. So licensing would be the second aspect, but it seems, from your question, licensing isn't your problem per-se. Some modules exist to protect your source code, like sourcedefender. It works pretty much like described by @lambda11 , though I have no idea if they use C/C++ to do their magic. The fact that they "do some magic" makes me nervous personally, code protection is one thing, but if it's a true concern, I guess the question is how hard it is to get to your code in the end. That's another story altogether. But if you look for short answers, well, people have done it previously.