[michaelmrose]

Creating a derivative work isn't termed a "rip off" in open source its an expected use case. You don't have to work with someone before making your own work derivative of theirs. If it comes to pass that your work directly competes with theirs for developers or users you just have to convince potential users and developers that they ought to use yours instead same as any other competing entity in a free market.

For example I'm pretty sure Ford doesn't consult with Toyota before they introduce a new model.

[rstat1]

But Ford doesn't build their cars from Toyota parts and software and then just slap their logo on it and call it a day. So I'm not so sure that's a great analogy.

[michaelmrose]

You don't need to buy open source parts nor receive permission to use them.