I came up with an idea for a product for the crossfire. There are one or two more people that make the same product. I thought my design was unique and very effective. However, as to not cheat anybody I decided to do more research, and found out that my design was almost exactly the same design as one that is on the market. The only difference that I can see is the finish on the product, and mine would be a lower price. Do I continue with my design and then bring it to market and call it healthy competition, or do I just let the person keep their design even though it is not patented?

Help would be appreciated from all,
Shawn

 

Competion is allways good, particularly when quality is improved !

 

Good, Bad or Indifferent...I agree.

 

do what you think is right... you creating competition is obviously..... bad for the counterparty, good for you as you enter the segment, and good for the consumers as they not have a wider variety of choices..

who do you care about?

 

Check to see if you are breaking patent laws, otherwise forge ahead with your design.

Its unfortunate however your moral conscience is not common in the world of business.

Good luck.

 

I'm not breaking patent laws, because there iisn't a patent on it. I think from the preliminary results, I will forge ahead.

Shawn

 

Sometimes it's the second mouse that gets the cheese.

In business terms it's called "first to market" or "fast follower"?

 

Business is business if he/she wasn't wise enough to protect their design its yours for the taking. Especially if you bring a better/cheaper product to market. He/she will be forced to adapt or go out of business.
~Juice

 

Competition is always good in the long run. Sometimes its not comfortable for those involved, but in the end we all wind up with better products and more choices. Competeion promotes innovation, so if you can make it better, cheaper, or more interesting, (without violating someone's patent/copyright) go for it!

Imagine what kind of cars Detroit would be making now if they didn't have to compete against the Japanese and the Germans? Motor Trend magazine just named the Cadillac CTS as car of the year! They were shocked when they tallied-up the results!

 

Without a patent it simply becomes a matter of choice. If people are satisfied with the other product and they are happy with the service provided etc. most won't change. Also if you claim you can make essentially the same product of higher quality for less, perhaps the other party is charging more than market value.

With all that in mind, if you are just doing this as a hobby not concerned at all with a profit, that could force the other companies to drop out and because you aren't serious about making it a viable business, the product disappears and we all lose.

 

If you can make it better or the same quality for less I say go for it.

 

I believe u should go with the idea. You said its a moral dilemna, so obviously you have good intentions....I say there is always room for more of the same product, especially when they differentiate in style, quality, and price!!!!!!

 

regardless, options are always a good thing for a consumer.

 

Ok, well due to the poll, I have purchased the first part. I hope to have the prototype done befor the end of the month.
Thanks for the support,
Shawn

 

I was a run-a-way vote. There you go