5 ms·

If System76 starts to be successful why can't I just spin up a competitor and copy everything they do? I don't even need to do the work to copy them, I can just

If System76 starts to be successful why can't I just spin up a competitor and copy everything they do? I don't even need to do the work to copy them, I can just use their open-source designs and software. With zero overhead I can sell everything they make cheaper. How are they not doomed to go out of business?

quadrangle 8y ago
Although it exists in a different market, why don't fashion designers go out of business? There's nothing stopping people from producing cheap knock-offs. Some people want the "real deal". In fashion, that's because some consumers are superficial and vain and want to signal their wealth by getting the official stuff instead of using their wealth for something worthwhile. But for a case like System76, some consumers might care about funding the company that is doing the innovation that they appreciate… At any rate, your question applies to all open-source software — how is it not doomed to be unfunded or go out of business? It's much easier to distribute software than to compete with a hardware company!
NovaS1X 8y ago
Maybe I'm wrong here, but isn't the whole idea to be pushing forward? If you're only copying their designs, you'll always be one step behind. I'd rather buy from the company pushing the envelope rather than some obvious company just trying to make a quick buck.
ndnxhs 8y ago
The clones tend to be low effort and shit quality. The clones usually have shit support when things go wrong and don't have a big name standing behind them. The Pursa i3 is a fully open source 3d printer with countless clones available but still the creators company is the most popular source to get it from.
quantummkv 8y ago
Just like RedHat didn't go out of business despite basically giving away RHEL as Centos for free to everyone. People, especially the professionals, want the complete experience, from hardware to support and everything in between. Can you provide the level of support they provide while being cheaper than them? > With zero overhead I can sell everything they make cheaper. Chinese brands do this all the time with Apple. They copy the Apple iPhone designs wholesale including the UI themes, make it cheaper, and yet Apple makes more money than all of them combined.
- beokop 8y ago
  That isn’t the same though because a cheap off-brand iPhone clone still isn’t an iPhone by a long shot.
- camjohnson26 8y ago
  And the people who know the product best are the ones employed by the company who actually built it, so they have a built in advantage in consulting/support.
setr 8y ago
That issue exists in all of manufacturing; its not difficult to copy a bed or a shoe (ignoring high fashion/concept). Branding, trust, convenience, etc play a large role in your decision to buy nike over a cheaper chinese clone
IloveHN84 8y ago
Are you sure you can sell it cheaper ? It takes a lot of knowledge + time + connections to make the whole products worth it. And remember that they will always have the advantage that the knowledge of hardware and firmware is in house, while you rely on their updates

quadrangle 8y ago

Although it exists in a different market, why don't fashion designers go out of business? There's nothing stopping people from producing cheap knock-offs. Some people want the "real deal". In fashion, that's because some consumers are superficial and vain and want to signal their wealth by getting the official stuff instead of using their wealth for something worthwhile. But for a case like System76, some consumers might care about funding the company that is doing the innovation that they appreciate… At any rate, your question applies to all open-source software — how is it not doomed to be unfunded or go out of business? It's much easier to distribute software than to compete with a hardware company!

NovaS1X 8y ago

Maybe I'm wrong here, but isn't the whole idea to be pushing forward? If you're only copying their designs, you'll always be one step behind. I'd rather buy from the company pushing the envelope rather than some obvious company just trying to make a quick buck.

ndnxhs 8y ago

The clones tend to be low effort and shit quality. The clones usually have shit support when things go wrong and don't have a big name standing behind them. The Pursa i3 is a fully open source 3d printer with countless clones available but still the creators company is the most popular source to get it from.

quantummkv 8y ago

Just like RedHat didn't go out of business despite basically giving away RHEL as Centos for free to everyone. People, especially the professionals, want the complete experience, from hardware to support and everything in between. Can you provide the level of support they provide while being cheaper than them? > With zero overhead I can sell everything they make cheaper. Chinese brands do this all the time with Apple. They copy the Apple iPhone designs wholesale including the UI themes, make it cheaper, and yet Apple makes more money than all of them combined.

beokop 8y ago
That isn’t the same though because a cheap off-brand iPhone clone still isn’t an iPhone by a long shot.
camjohnson26 8y ago
And the people who know the product best are the ones employed by the company who actually built it, so they have a built in advantage in consulting/support.

setr 8y ago

That issue exists in all of manufacturing; its not difficult to copy a bed or a shoe (ignoring high fashion/concept). Branding, trust, convenience, etc play a large role in your decision to buy nike over a cheaper chinese clone

IloveHN84 8y ago

Are you sure you can sell it cheaper ? It takes a lot of knowledge + time + connections to make the whole products worth it. And remember that they will always have the advantage that the knowledge of hardware and firmware is in house, while you rely on their updates