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Ask HN: Bigger startup is stealing my features, what do i do?

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Ask HN: Bigger startup is stealing my features, what do i do?

#1

Post by tehwebdev »

I run a bootstrapped start-up by myself in a niche industry. I have built it over the past 5+ years and just recently it started to take off. Other startups have started to pop-up and have noticed me, but one in particular is copying my features.

Their cloned features aren't nearly as good, but my fear is that this is just the start.

I know how the game is played... companies steal other companies stuff all the time. Just look at the app stores. I also know the fact they are copying me means my idea is vindicated.

The problem is that I am just one person and this particular start-up has around 3 employees and a million dollars in funding. I don't make enough money to hire an employee full-time. So I am in an extremely tough spot.

So what do you guys suggest I do? Any advice?

I could be extremely aggressive about this and pose as a user of theirs and write negative reviews online. The hope would be to nab popular "review" keywords in Google so their users find them and stay clear. Though I am not sure if that's worth my time when I could use it improving my product.

Re: Ask HN: Bigger startup is stealing my features, what do i do?

#2

Post by codezero »

I really hope your first instinct isn't to post fake negative reviews, it won't work out well.

You have a few options:

1) Just keep doing what you are doing the best you can do and stop using a measuring stick against copy-cats. Don't get into a feature-creep war.

2) Focus on your existing users and work hard to retain them and use them to generate more growth. Get them to talk about your product positively.

3) Find out how those people are getting users instead of you and try to replicate that.

Competition is a good thing, it means there is a need. Your feature set is only a small part of what users want, so make sure you are nailing other areas like support and satisfaction.

Re: Ask HN: Bigger startup is stealing my features, what do i do?

#3

Post by tehwebdev »

codezero wrote: post #2

I really hope your first instinct isn't to post fake negative reviews, it won't work out well. You have a few options: 1) Just keep doing what you are doing the best you can do and stop using a measuring stick against copy-cats. Don't get into a feature-creep war. 2) Focus on your existing users and work hard to retain them and use them to generate more growth. Get them to talk about your product positively. 3) Find…

No, my first thought was these guys don't have any creative talent and I wish I could tell their CEO that I'm not buying his load of bullshit.

Your comments resonate with me though. After calming down a bit I went back to writing code. I keep telling myself I can only worry about the things I can control. And my product is the only thing I can control and work on improving.

Thanks for commenting.

Re: Ask HN: Bigger startup is stealing my features, what do i do?

#5

Post by amarcus »

Believe me, the worst thing a company can do is focus too much on what its competitors are doing. You lose sight of the bigger picture and will always be following behind somebody who is a leader.

Keep doing what you are doing. Obviously, you are on the right path. If they are copying you, it's a good thing. It means that they don't know the industry as well as you and they don't know how to solve the pain-points without copying you. This means that you are always one step ahead of them.

Keep building and marketing your product. It's the best thing to do. Don't be complacent always be innovating. If they are copying you, it means they can't surpass you.

Re: Ask HN: Bigger startup is stealing my features, what do i do?

#6

Post by tehwebdev »

amarcus wrote: post #5

Believe me, the worst thing a company can do is focus too much on what its competitors are doing. You lose sight of the bigger picture and will always be following behind somebody who is a leader. Keep doing what you are doing. Obviously, you are on the right path. If they are copying you, it's a good thing. It means that they don't know the industry as well as you and they don't know how to solve the pain-points wit…

I really appreciate your insights. It does help a great deal to relieve my stress right now.

Re: Ask HN: Bigger startup is stealing my features, what do i do?

#7

Post by tehwebdev »

georgemcbay wrote: post #4

"I could be extremely aggressive about this and pose as a user of theirs and write negative reviews online." That isn't "aggressive", that is morally bankrupt.

I am angry and most likely not thinking clearly. Which is why I come to HN. :(

Re: Ask HN: Bigger startup is stealing my features, what do i do?

#8

Post by georgemcbay »

tehwebdev wrote: post #7
georgemcbay wrote: post #4

"I could be extremely aggressive about this and pose as a user of theirs and write negative reviews online." That isn't "aggressive", that is morally bankrupt.

I am angry and most likely not thinking clearly. Which is why I come to HN. :(

That's understandable. I'm not saying you shouldn't be upset and even play out revenge fantasies in your head, but focus that anger on making your stuff better instead of fighting a war of dirty tricks to the bottom; we've already got way too much of that in the world already.

Re: Ask HN: Bigger startup is stealing my features, what do i do?

#9

Post by robbiea »

To be honest, this is great news for you. All this means is that you are on to something. Think about it. You have another company who has a million dollar investment, and the people behind the money must be OK with the path they are taking in your niche industry.

Yes, it's not right to steal stuff, but I would take this as a compliment. Forget about them, and focus on you. If you're lucky enough, they will copy your features again.

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