Microsoft Obtains Patent to Use for Detecting Pirated Content

The company was granted a patent for technology that scans items users have stored on the cloud when they are shared. 

Microsoft envisions using software based on the patent for services like Google Drive, Dropbox and other storage services, social networks, and pirate sites. 

A summary of how the patent is understood: "When objects are shared by one user with another user, prohibited content, if identified as such, can be blocked from being shared, while the remainder of the shared objects can be accessed by the other user."

Microsoft intends that people who share copyrighted content can be banned.

It is illegal to share copyrighted content, although not illegal to store it on the cloud.