I launched a Mac utility; now there are 5 clones on the App Store using my story

IP, DMCA, and Copying Boundaries

• Many commenters suggest DMCA takedowns for plagiarized text, images, and origin story; expectation is Apple will often remove blatant copies but not all.
• General consensus: copying the idea or simple functionality is fair game; copying marketing copy, assets, or decompiled code crosses a line.
• Some note legal recourse is impractical across borders and for low-revenue indie utilities.

What Can Be a Moat for a Simple Utility?

• Idea itself is not defensible; for a small Mac utility, suggested “moats” include:
  • Speed of innovation and frequent updates.
  • Better UX, native feel, and responsive support.
  • Building a brand and community trust over time.
  • Sheer stamina: keep maintaining while quick-buck clones decay.
• Others argue there may be no real moat for something that can be built in days; marketing and distribution dominate.

App Store, Distribution, and Clones

• Several argue that using the App Store means relying on Apple’s “moat”; curation is described as weak, random, or driven by volume/revenue rather than quality.
• Some criticize the 30% fee vs poor enforcement against obvious clones and spam.
• Suggestions include multi-cloning one’s own app with variations, direct distribution, and cautious use of Reddit and similar channels (avoid “I made $X in Y days” posts that attract copiers).

LLMs, Low Barriers, and Authenticity

• Multiple comments say LLMs have drastically lowered the bar to clone simple apps or marketing pages, intensifying an old problem.
• Broader unease emerges about AI-generated code, AI-written posts, and whether the thread itself is partly “vibe-coded,” raising questions about authenticity of both software and discussion.
• Some frame widespread cloning as a long-standing human behavior now amplified by new tools.