The "ideas don't matter" bit is to help people understand that having one idea that feels smart does not guarantee them success. It is not some eternal, fundamental truth.
Opening up an Italian restaurant right next to another doesn't matter because it's the eight zillionth Italian restaurant in the world and the concept was jointly created over centuries by the nation of Italy and many entrepreneurs.
Moreover, even when similar restaurants open in the same area, they typically work hard to distinguish themselves. If somebody opens up a restaurant and copies the exact menu, layout, decor, trade dress, pricing structure, and dish names, that still looks shitty.
I agree that the Samwer brothers are unusually successful copycats. But as with other parasites, I don't think that makes them better; I think it makes them worse. I can forgive it when it's some desperate, low-rent operation, like somebody selling cheap DVD copies on the streetcorner. But these guys clearly can afford to innovate; they're just happy exploiting the work of others.
Opening up an Italian restaurant right next to another doesn't matter because it's the eight zillionth Italian restaurant in the world and the concept was jointly created over centuries by the nation of Italy and many entrepreneurs.
Moreover, even when similar restaurants open in the same area, they typically work hard to distinguish themselves. If somebody opens up a restaurant and copies the exact menu, layout, decor, trade dress, pricing structure, and dish names, that still looks shitty.
I agree that the Samwer brothers are unusually successful copycats. But as with other parasites, I don't think that makes them better; I think it makes them worse. I can forgive it when it's some desperate, low-rent operation, like somebody selling cheap DVD copies on the streetcorner. But these guys clearly can afford to innovate; they're just happy exploiting the work of others.