Danica Jeanine Honra
ENG 101
Essay 1 Mid draft
Dr. Matos

(HOOK)These men of knowledge and logic, however, sees the concept of copying rather auspicious. Kal Raustiala and Chris Sprigman’s “In Praise of Copycats” induces a positive point of view about the concept of copying throughout various industries in the society. They believe that freedom of copying, in contrast with popular belief, instigates innovation. This claim was supported by their exemplification of events that exhibit prosperity and progression which were caused by the application of the concepts of copying. Although it may sound absurd, I do believe that freedom of copying with limitations has a positive implication in the society. Freedom of copying should surpass the traditional reputation that we have of it, for as this prompt suggests it is indeed a gateway to innovation and success.
Raustiala and Sprigman presume that copying serves not only as an advertisement, but also as trial versions of the original. Because of its beneficial consequences, Raustiala and Sprigman concluded that “sharing an idea is more valuable than monopolizing it” (196). In other words copying has things to offer that suffices the development of various industries. To prove the assets of copying, the authors exemplified the world of fashion. Due to availability of replica inspired high end designs to affordable stores, majority of consumers are now able to purchase products which will then cause trends. When trends eventuate, development of ideas then takes place which would enhance existing ones. Although the initial response of the majority would find the idea to be dismissive, I find the authors’ justification of copying rather to be true. Copying of ideas provokes creation of newly found ideas that would lead to improvement of existing ones. An example of this cycle could be seen on local markets in Asia. As local stores and small time entrepreneurs somehow imitate ideas and patterns of some products such as technological accessories, major companies start producing new batch of improved products that would start a new trend and then the cycle goes on.
In addition to copying’s beneficial consequences, it also antecedes competitions that provoke creativity. This means that in a world of competition copying is inevitable, as competing groups try to outdo one another, replications of ideas is a necessity. Subsequently, innovation then eventuates. As a result of this, the world of Sports which is the example given by the authors, exhibits strategies that are imitated by others. And although imitation is inevitable, coaches from various teams seem to not mind it at all. In fact Raustiala and Sprigman mentioned that “strategy is always changing- but none of it is protected against copycats. This hardly discourages great coaches from innovating” (197). The authors have clarified this well and I couldn’t agree more. It is indeed true and indeed happening today that as industries compete with one another they also tend to unconsciously help each other create ideas that leads them to triumph. One perfect example is how brands of cellphones nowadays actually copy ideas from each other. Due to the replications of diverse versions of ideas which are cause by competition, different brands are then determined to unceasingly refurbish phones; Main reason behind the existence of iPhone 6, Samsung galaxy note etc. and all other phones that are more and more high-tech and embellished.
Another point that the authors emphasized is that copying surprisingly provides inspiration to others. As Raustiala and Sprigman mentioned, “The freedom to copy, to tweak, and to improve on good idea is what makes it from good to great” (197). This only means that absence of restrictions to copy pursues aspirants to innovate and develop ideas. The world of cuisine is one perfect example that the authors provided. Thomas Keller one of the