Clone software to start my own business. Is it ethical? (discussion)

Was google a clone of altavista? Was facebook a clone of friendster? Was the ipod a clone of all other mp3 players? Is Mockingbird a clone of Balsamiq?

Just copying an idea is fine. And if you do any kind of market research, your essentially figuring out which idea is the most profitable to copy.

Its finally all about execution.

Re: Clone software to start my own business. Is it ethical? (discussion)

#5

Post by michael_dorfman » Fri, Sep 03, 2010, 3:48 PM UTC

Peldi is a class act.

He's wrong about one thing, though: "I wish you luck, but not too much" is much older than Obama-- here's a usage from 1932: http://books.google.no/books?id=10wCi1LnRFoC&pg=PA15&#38...

Re: Clone software to start my own business. Is it ethical? (discussion)

#6

Post by ujal » Fri, Sep 03, 2010, 3:54 PM UTC

From the perspective of a customer I would go so far to say that it is unethical not to copy it.

Re: Clone software to start my own business. Is it ethical? (discussion)

#7

Post by known » Fri, Sep 03, 2010, 4:10 PM UTC

"Imitation is the sincerest of flattery." --Charles Caleb Colton

Re: Clone software to start my own business. Is it ethical? (discussion)

#8

Post by jpmc » Fri, Sep 03, 2010, 4:17 PM UTC

Why reinvent the wheel? If you can find a foundation from which to build a better service/app/mousetrap why not? Consider utilizing a clone a part of natural software evolution. Spend more of your time and effort on making it better than just making it.

Re: Clone software to start my own business. Is it ethical? (discussion)

#9

Post by 10ren » Fri, Sep 03, 2010, 4:21 PM UTC

Wow, I think that's actually true (about followers making you the leader). I had a competitor (following, though not cloning), and it freaked me out (like, seriously), and for this reason (and others) I ended up stepping back somewhat from the space. But looking back... my best sales were from that period.

I also had liked being the one and only - but that's ego, not business.

Re: Clone software to start my own business. Is it ethical? (discussion)

#10

Post by antidaily » Fri, Sep 03, 2010, 4:28 PM UTC

michael_dorfman wrote: post #5

Peldi is a class act. He's wrong about one thing, though: "I wish you luck, but not too much" is much older than Obama-- here's a usage from 1932: http://books.google.no/books?id=10wCi1LnRFoC&pg=PA15&#38...

Too bad you can't link directly to his comment.