Everything that isn't held by patents is a proving ground for everyone else who has time and resources, including other corporations, startups and individuals.

Everything that isn't held by patents is a proving ground for everyone else who has time and resources, including other corporations, startups and individuals. It's why you need a moat, or you don't really have anything stable for the long term. Just because you had first idea & implementation that worked in the market doesn't mean you have the best implementation (of the features that actually matter)