30 Aug 12, 04:29AM
(This post was last modified: 30 Aug 12, 04:36AM by Roflcopter.)
(30 Aug 12, 03:32AM)Lateralus Wrote: I think you misunderstood my point. When a brand is obviously duplicating another brand's product it also creates unfair competition.
No it isn't. Many businesses produce the exact same products, for instance farms that produce vegetables.
(30 Aug 12, 03:32AM)Lateralus Wrote: Your analogy is just too broad with grocery stores. I am talking brands and you are talking ideas.
How is it too broad? You talked about a monopoly on feature-sets as being acceptable to protect what you view as a brand. My point is that many many businesses struggle to find ways to differentiate themselves over the competition. It's a well-known and expected problem of business.
(30 Aug 12, 03:32AM)Lateralus Wrote: Your analogy is just too broad with grocery stores. I am talking brands and you are talking ideas. Hence I used the term "features" and not "ideas" Brands are the product of tangible items that come together and provide a unique experience. Of course you can't patent the idea of a store but when we talk about logos, colors, slogans, etc- of course they can be patented.
Logos, colors, slogans etc... cannot be patented. I don't think you're aware of what a patent is, but they only cover inventions.
(30 Aug 12, 03:32AM)Lateralus Wrote: I agree it is good to be able to buy a similar product for lesser price. However, then where's the motivation for businesses to invest into research in development when the market is so easy to enter? Ctrl+C & Ctrl+V is easier but is it ethical in business terms? Should any person that can invest money be able to copy your product?
In some circumstances yes. I wouldn't want there to be only one supplier of carrots.
Brand protection should exist to avoid confusion and fake goods, but that's far from selling a similar product. And to be honest the two phones seem as similar as any two phones I've seen.