Is It Acceptable To Copy/Steal Ideas | Thief

Idea Stealing

I decided to write an opinion post here about copying on idea stealing in general.

The idea came on because of a post on a Facebook group I am in, for FBA, that asks the question:

Is it ok to steal an Idea, but phrased as " If someone tells you an idea or such, do you have the right to take it and use it for your own? 

The answers vary, and you definitely know who is who by reading this post. 

I guess I know some people from both sides, and I'm not in love with the dark side, the YES steal it side.

Let's look at a few points here.

Justification

One of the things I have really come to hate are the phrases:             

• Its Just Business
• I have A Business To Run
• I have A Family To Feed
• I Have Bills To Pay
• You Didn't Take Action (fast enough to stop me :P)
• You Should Not Have Opened Your Big Fat Mouth ( Really, just read that and that's why I'm writing this)

So does everyone else have Bills and family etc.

I get you care about yours first, but ...

These statements are justifications.

And they are used daily to steal, bully and basically force and trick people into doing things they don't want to do.

And if you pay attention these are the same people that cry the loudest when payback comes knocking.

 Karma is real.

No TradeMark | Copy-Right

This is the thieves, herein know as TROLLS call to action.

If you have a winning design, idea or and you don't have these things or patents, patent pending, you are on the trolls menu.

If you tell someone in confidence about your idea, make sure you know who they are. Oil, grease, and honey are the TROLLS tools, and they will pick your brain and steal everything. All with a smile.

Maybe they watch Shark Tank too much.

Branding                   

This is one thing you can do to protect yourself. You would need a logo wordmark something that can be Trademarked, and if you have a physical product, apply for a patent if it's worthwhile.

Intellectual property is a big thing today so read up on the subject and get educated so you can protect yourself.

If you're in design its hard to copyright every single design, even though you can go with a brand, and thereby getting the brand confusion decision. 

There is a ton of Branding info out there, take the time to look.

Make An Offer

If you have a great idea and know it would work or is a winner through your own research, don't talk to anyone, unless that person is an investor or a super trusted friend, family member or spouse.

If you can`t swing things financially or just don't have the know-how, get into a few groups, Amazon sellers etc, and get to a meetup or two.

Take your time, in online groups you will get a sense of who is who over a short period of a few months.

If you are with people that are in business, like a meetup, search out your likely candidate and slowly get to know them before you make a pitch, DO NOT GIVE THE IDEA UP, not right away.

Make sure the person understands its an offer, not a freebie. And before you pitch the idea they would have to either verbally (I think signed is better)  agree to terms of an agreement like a no competition clause, or non-disclosure agreement or better get a partnership deal on the table.

Copying Outright

I think, and I will use this in terms I know like POD, that people that copy, are not likely to succeed for long, in that business.

The Amazon PL (private label) folks would be able to but would have to continually look for more products, as thiers would also fall victim to copying.

If you say copy my design or idea, I see you as uncreative and unable to sustain through the long haul, stealing would fall under the same umbrella.

Why Would A Copy Cat Fail?             

The idea of copying someone else's rise to success is different as you would be trying to mimic in your own way what they did to rise up, like an unintentional mentor.

If you have to copy another's work, sooner or later, because you are not alone, there would and is, a saturation level of unsustainability and there will be a day that "Branding" will cover everything anyway and most of us will be tanked out.

Why, well unless your work was totally amazing and different you won't sell anyway, even if you have someone else design it "better" don't you have to know what better is? 

So if you copy from the start where is the "new and improved" work.

Besides what have you really learned about your "business"?

Why Brand

This is the product designer, manufacturer, resellers defence against the copycats and stealers. You, copycats, are making this happen.

People are already branding, its the new old catch-phrase and it will eventually choke up the markets, so take heed, I won't brand myself I am not that great, but a lot will, that are not that great.

And those are the branders that will kill off any competition, as well as eventually themselves because most of those people are "COPYCATS" and there will be nothing left to copy :P

The brand in merch or is a lettered brand like Crazy Idiot Copiers Tees or I'm An Un-Talented Stealer Co

But its also a great way to build a company, or Brand like Nike etc. Brand loyalty is, was, and always will be the best sales agent you have.

People that feel as though they are some kind of sharks or businessmen that can steal and lie to get what they want are really sociopathic to a point.

To take and then to assume they have the right to do so and you are stupid is pretty pathetic, business is business but there is a limit, you think that you are great but in the end, will usually be alone or in a loveless marriage etc., and be very lonely for what's left of your lives.

 I have witnessed this with my own eyes, I know two people exactly like this, one near the end of his cycle at 78 and still a greedy uncouth type, the other just 53 and very greasy oily and unhappy, enjoy your successes guys, and live with the fact that you did not build anything, just stole it.

I should sell them neckbraces, they are always looking over their shoulders and it gives them problems, guess that's the way it is if you steal and lie to get yours ;)

Personally, I am building myself, not stealing and not lying, and doing quite alright.

PS, my neck is just fine.

To each their own.

Well, that's my 2 cents worth hope you all enjoyed the read.

All the Best

Ej