Ask HN: Is making clones bad?

#1

Post by SingAlong » Fri, Dec 26, 2008, 4:08 PM UTC

Just a few hours ago, a friend sent me a message that he was planning to make spanish or french clone of a famous site. He said there was a market for this since this kinda site didn't exist in French or Spanish.

I suggested to him that he shouldn't make a clone of some idea UNLESS he's going to OFFER something BETTER (if it does something better I wouldn't call it a 'clone').

Am I right in saying so? Or is there anything I'm missing?

Re: Ask HN: Is making clones bad?

#2

Post by vaksel » Fri, Dec 26, 2008, 4:18 PM UTC

he IS offering something better. Does the original site exist in French/Spanish? No. So he is doing something the original site isn't.

Frankly I don't mind clones at all. Its all about execution...if someone can clone you and take any marketshare...then you might want to look for another job

Re: Ask HN: Is making clones bad?

#3

Post by wesley » Fri, Dec 26, 2008, 4:27 PM UTC

Err, localizing the site is already offering something better. I'd say go for it. Are you suggesting non-english people simply shouldn't have access to such a site because it already exists in english and the company chose not to build a localized version?

There's a huge market there ripe for the picking and many American companies aren't taking notice.

Re: Ask HN: Is making clones bad?

#4

Post by parenthesis » Fri, Dec 26, 2008, 4:31 PM UTC

MercadoLibre.com started out as a latin american 'ebay clone'. They seem to be doing okay (== monopoly in their region); in fact, ebay now own a stake in them.

Re: Ask HN: Is making clones bad?

#5

Post by mtw » Fri, Dec 26, 2008, 4:39 PM UTC

it's a good idea as practice. Otherwise, if you or your friend are planning to make it a major business, don't, because of legal repercussions when it will be popular

Re: Ask HN: Is making clones bad?

#6

Post by danw » Fri, Dec 26, 2008, 4:43 PM UTC

Amazon expanded into Europe by buying up it's 'clones' in other languages, so this might work out well.

Facebook chose to translate and expand by itself instead of purchasing local clones.

I guess the difference is amazon was buying shipping and warehousing.

Re: Ask HN: Is making clones bad?

#7

Post by rokhayakebe » Fri, Dec 26, 2008, 4:48 PM UTC

I can guarantee that the site he will clone is an actual clone of another site.

Everything you see today is a clone of something else and they simply change the theme, the message, this or that.

True innovation looks too dumb to be copied.

Re: Ask HN: Is making clones bad?

#8

Post by visdo » Fri, Dec 26, 2008, 4:50 PM UTC

Bad? No. Cloning idea is actually good thing. We need multiple choices. Doing better is also not a necessary thing. I say doing different.

Re: Ask HN: Is making clones bad?

#9

Post by eugenejen » Fri, Dec 26, 2008, 5:04 PM UTC

"Bad artists copy. Great artists steal." -- Pablo Picasso.

I think as long as your friend is conscious what Picasso said in the quote above, it will be ok. Because the clone is just the starting point. There is market there but no product is available. So by cloning this product, he gets his foot out of the door and the rest of journey is up to him.

Re: Ask HN: Is making clones bad?

#10

Post by randomwalker » Fri, Dec 26, 2008, 5:08 PM UTC

wesley wrote: post #3

Err, localizing the site is already offering something better. I'd say go for it. Are you suggesting non-english people simply shouldn't have access to such a site because it already exists in english and the company chose not to build a localized version? There's a huge market there ripe for the picking and many American companies aren't taking notice.

Echo that. Besides, unless the creator deliberately sets out to copy every last detail of the original, their knowledge of local customs will inevitably result in subtle design differences that will make the "clone" a much more cohesive and pleasant experience for people in the target market, even those who can speak English.