Hi Richard,

there's absolutely nothing you can do against stealing code or hardware. These recommendations of jumping in the code chaotically or doing else tricks is rather ridiculous. For a "good" code chief who is doing nothing else the whole day this isn't really a hurdle.
You can also the remove the chip label by a milling machine in the hope to "protect" your harware, but the label is also inside the chip, on the die and you can very easily crack a chip package by the help of a side cutter in a few seconds.

For the customer an (eventually cheaper) copied product need not necessarily be an alternative to your product, if you give him good support and if you let the customer profit from your rich experience. Buying a product is one thing, getting it properly working is something else entirely! The whole "package" counts, not only the naked product.

Also, copying a product always needs some relevant time and is costly. So, update your product at regular and short intervals and your competitor is always late and old-fashioned!

Be just better and faster than your competitor! Already develop the new generation while bringing the latest on the market.

Kai