In the world of technology, people copy everyday. Sometimes the copy are even better than the original.
Steve Jobs, Apple founder, in this video in 1996 said: "Picasso had a saying -- 'good artists copy; great artists steal' -- and we have always been shameless about stealing great ideas."
I guess you just have to be smart in how you "steal" the ideas. By steal, I guess he meant study and try to bring out a more sophisticated product that solves a need.
Though we have people that just lift or copy and paste other people's ideas without changing a thing. I think they are the real copy cats.
Glad you are here, @greenrun. It's true that sometimes the copy is better than the original, but many do not add those changes based on the limitation(s) of the original innovator I gave example about. The originator benefits nothing from what is supposed to be his brainchild.
Okay since Steve Jobs says "great artists steals, then stealing is justified. Well...that is his opinion. Thanks for your contribution.
[Edited...]
I think the steal he means is just to be inspired by ideas of others. It's hard to see a technology that is not inspired by other technology. Even some apps are a "copy" of ideas of other apps. Eg, Messageme, copied some Asian apps.
About what Steve Jobs said, I think he meant it Literally. History has it that Apple was not the first company to develop an optical mouse. The first company to develop such a device was Xerox Computers, however the board rejected the idea. When Steve Jobs, visited Apple, he requested that xerox grant him and his team access to see what they are building, however, the xerox board denied him of such. Through his persuasive and lobbying skills he was able to loby a lower Manager who gave him access to see their innovation room. Few months later, Apple brought the optical mouse to limelight and took all the glory without even crediting Xerox . Much respect to Steve Jobs but he is good at identifying and stealing brilliant ideas even before the originator of the idea brings it to lime light. Thank you.
I think Xerox sued him for that if I remember corectly.