[linuxftw]

An often echoed sentiment around here is 'is your startup idea a product, or a feature?' If you startup is a feature, it's just going to be copied.

The only way to prevent this is with patents.

[realtalk_sp]

> The only way to prevent this is with patents.

There are other ways. Network effects. Economies of scale. Branding. Arguably regulatory capture.

[fergie]

Internet search was regarded as a feature right up until about 2000.

[rhizome]

Twitter is a feature.

[hobs]

Are networking effects a product or a feature?

[rhizome]

Category error, they're an effect. Is hunger a kind of food?