> "It's one thing to see that unbleached toilet paper is selling well, and getting a supplier to sell you a store brand version. But it's completely different to see that a particular office stand is selling very well, determine that it has a 20% margin, and have someone build an identical product which you sell 5% margin."
Those two sound like the exact same thing to me. There is no real difference.
It even happens between electronics manufacturers; you'll see a company noticing a competitor's product is successful, dissecting it to figure out the manufacturing costs and estimated margin, and tailoring its product line to provide a competitive product.
(Aside from all that, I though HNers didn't believe in IP?)
Well, you can patent or trademark designs. And our legal system protects the holder of those patents and trademarks for good reason. Amazon is able to leverage their position in the market to abuse suppliers and get away with illegal behavior because the suppliers lack the resources to fight Amazon.
There's a difference between a clean room design that takes inspiration from a product and an identical copy. I can write and perform a song in the style of The Beatles, but I cannot write and perform "Hey Jude" without paying royalties.
Those two sound like the exact same thing to me. There is no real difference.
It even happens between electronics manufacturers; you'll see a company noticing a competitor's product is successful, dissecting it to figure out the manufacturing costs and estimated margin, and tailoring its product line to provide a competitive product.
(Aside from all that, I though HNers didn't believe in IP?)