Techdirt Podcast Episode 36: In Defense Of Copying
from the ideas-and-execution dept
We live in a world that venerates “ideas” but ignores the fact that even the best idea is worthless if it’s poorly executed. In turn, people who “copy” ideas are often demonized, even when it’s their superior execution that is responsible for their success. But the truth is that copying is a critical part of innovation and progress, and the instinct to ignore or refute that idea has left us without many clear measurements of its impact — not to mention lots of bad policy, and a highly problematic “ownership culture” when it comes to ideas and creative output.
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Filed Under: copying, copyright, ideas, innovation, podcast
Comments on “Techdirt Podcast Episode 36: In Defense Of Copying”
Iteration
You spoke a bit on this podcast about large companies iterating on independent or small time companies. As you were searching for a proper example, I couldn’t help but think apple music is a good example of this. They iterated on Spotify’s model, succeeding where Spotify failed. (Taylor Swift Letter)
Re: Iteration
You spoke a bit on this podcast about large companies iterating on independent or small time companies. As you were searching for a proper example, I couldn’t help but think apple music is a good example of this. They iterated on Spotify’s model, succeeding where Spotify failed. (Taylor Swift Letter)
Have they succeeded? Just this morning I saw someone point out that Spotify has more paying members (20 million) than Apple Music has trying its service out for free (11 million). So I’m not sure the jury has come to a verdict on that one just yet…
Counterpoint?
Have you considered the argument that the reason the ‘top 10 stolen ideas’ is so mediocre, is because of strong IP laws, punishing attempted stealers?
(I don’t buy it myself, but it would be the first thing a devil’s advocate would bring up.)
Re: Counterpoint?
Have you considered the argument that the reason the ‘top 10 stolen ideas’ is so mediocre, is because of strong IP laws, punishing attempted stealers?
That’s certainly a possibility… but I don’t buy it. At the very least there would be some lawsuits of people who tried and failed…
Just remembered this example: Rocket Internet.
https://en.m.wikipedia.org/wiki/Rocket_Internet
It isn’t exactly a household name, but it seems to be making money. Is it innovative or just a copycat incubator?