Bootleg

Bootleg refers to the illicit production, distribution, or sale of goods or media without authorization. As a noun, it can denote those items (for example, recordings, films, software) or acts of producing them; as a verb, to engage in the illicit manufacture or distribution. The term originated in the United States during Prohibition, when alcohol smuggled in boots was transported and sold illegally. From that usage, bootleg came to describe unauthorized copies of media and counterfeit goods.

Bootlegging today covers several domains. In the music and film industries, bootleg recordings and prints are unofficial releases that bypass copyright and distribution rights. In software, video games, and digital media, pirated copies obtained or shared without authorization are also described as bootleg. In consumer goods, counterfeit or knockoff products carrying a brand's name without permission are often termed bootleg, though distinctions exist with counterfeit goods. The term often implies lower price, uncertain provenance, and variable quality.

Production and distribution are typically clandestine, with producers avoiding official supply chains and licensing controls. Distribution channels range from street markets and mail-order networks to online marketplaces and peer-to-peer networks. Legal risks include copyright and trademark enforcement, criminal penalties in some jurisdictions, and civil damages. Digital bootlegging carries additional concerns such as malware and privacy risks.

Laws and enforcement vary by country but generally treat bootlegging as infringement or counterfeiting. Culturally, bootlegs have a paradoxical role: they can preserve or reveal historical performances and ephemera, while undermining the financial incentives of creators. Some artists and labels release official archival editions that resemble bootlegs but with authorization, providing legitimate access to rare material.