Software makers won a copyright dispute.

American Brands admitted that one of its subsidiaries illegally copied software programs written by Micropro International of San Rafael, Calif. The New York-based conglomerate made a cash payment to Micropro to settle a lawsuit out of court. The suit, filed by Micropro and a software industry trade group, is part of the industry’s attack on the illegal copying of software programs, which are protected by copyright, trademark and other statutes.