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Ask HN: Is it okay to copy someone else's idea?
Sometimes I see a Show HN or product launch and think "wow, I'd love to do something like that", perhaps as simple as changing the target customer.
Is it okay, for example, to take an idea aimed at developers and build something almost identical, but selling to designers? If it's pretty obvious the author of the original idea plans to expand in that direction, am I crossing the line by jumping ahead and trying to get there first?
- dotcoma 13y agoGoogle did it. Facebook did it. Then again, don't do a Facebook for dogs. Or dog-owners.
- d4n3 13y agoYour're right. There's too much competition in that space. http://www.doggyspace.com/ http://www.doggyspace.com/ http://mysocialpetwork.co.uk/ http://mysocialpetwork.co.uk/
- jonny_eh 13y agoIt depends on the idea and how much you copy. But it's probably moot anyways since the chance of success are so low.
- akulbe 13y agoYes. I'd figure out a way to give some attribution to the original creator of said idea. Check this out. http://everythingisaremix.info http://everythingisaremix.info
- frank_boyd 13y agoOf course that's ok. Nothing is ever entirely new. Everything has parts of other things in it.
- akulbe 13y agoOh yeah... besides, the prevailing wisdom is this: execution > ideas. Most people talk up an idea, but never do anything with it. Talk is cheap.
- cryptos 13y agoCopying was and is one of the most fundamental processes in human culture. You have learned to speak by copying! The "intellectual property" propaganda is a relatively new and artificial construct.
- idlehands 13y agoakulbe has hit a couple of important points. Just because someone thought of something, or even made a thing, doesn't mean they own the idea. If you copy their exact execution, shame on you. Otherwise, go for it. On paper, any social network is the same thing. But we don't use friendster anymore. IF it seems appropriate to give credit to someone else for inspiration, go for it. Just remember, the market will determine the winner. Effectively, that's really all that matters.
- viennacoder 13y agoSure, that's fine. Don't do a wholesale copy of he execution though -- you'll never win if you're always a step behind.
- cprncus 13y ago"Copying" and "almost identical": No. Lame. "Adapting" and "significantly different": Yes. Reasonable.
- collyw 13y agoSay I am designing / building a database for work. If I want to clone that (and make it more generic for a wider audience). Are there problems with that?
- illyism 13y agoDepends on your contract. But usually yes.
- Jemaclus 13y agoGenerally speaking, yes, that's a problem. If you're targeting a completely different audience and you use 100% new code, then you're probably fine, but the specifics really depend on your contract and the kind of people that run your company.
- ragatskynet 13y agoForget the word "copying". Let's call it "reinventing".
- andrewhillman 13y agoJust about every technology is based on previous art.
- zinx 13y agoThat's what is evolution, no ?
- wikwocket 13y agoA number of prominent HNers would be all to happy if you copied their ideas, business models, or execution techniques. Many of them have blogs that are essentially, how to launch a business just like this in N easy steps. Some of them will even answer questions and coach you if you ask nicely. That said, it is probably polite to not outright copy. For example no one likes the sites that mimic Stack Exchange's layout and even copy their content. Similarly if you copy someone's idea, market, and business model wholesale (without asking), perhaps expect some flak.