Steve Jobs had a famously strong stance against copycats, especially when it came to Apple’s products. Here’s how he dealt with them, both publicly and behind the scenes:
1. Public Condemnation
Steve Jobs didn’t hold back when criticizing companies he felt copied Apple.
Android: He was particularly angry with Google. In a 2011 biography by Walter Isaacson, Jobs is quoted saying: “I’m going to destroy Android, because it’s a stolen product. I’m willing to go thermonuclear war on this.”
Samsung: Jobs and Apple executives were very vocal about Samsung copying the iPhone and iPad designs. This led to high-profile lawsuits.
2. Legal Action
Apple, under Jobs, aggressively used intellectual property (IP) laws to protect its designs and innovations.
Lawsuits: Apple sued Samsung, HTC, and other manufacturers for patent infringement. The case against Samsung became one of the biggest tech lawsuits of the 2010s and led to years of courtroom battles.
Design and Utility Patents: Apple patented everything from the iPhone’s rounded corners to multitouch gestures. Jobs believed deeply in the value of protecting design as much as function.
3. Doubling Down on Innovation
Rather than just reacting, Jobs pushed Apple to stay ahead:
He believed design, integration, and user experience could not be easily copied.
Apple consistently released refined and breakthrough products, making competitors look outdated.
4. Controlling the Ecosystem
Jobs understood that software and hardware integration was a competitive advantage.
Apple kept iOS closed and tightly integrated with its devices.
This “walled garden” approach made it harder for competitors to replicate the full experience.
5. Internal Philosophy
Jobs believed in being first and best, not just different. He once said:
“Good artists copy; great artists steal,” quoting Picasso — but he meant it more as “absorb and innovate,” not imitate.
Summary
Steve Jobs responded to copycats through:
Public shaming
Aggressive litigation
Relentless innovation
Strategic control of Apple’s ecosystem
He was fiercely protective of Apple’s originality, and made it clear that copying Apple wasn’t just unfair — it was a personal offense.
When Bankei held his seclusion-weeks of meditation, pupils from many parts of Japan came to attend. During one of these gatherings a pupil was caught stealing. The matter was reported to Bankei with the request that the culprit be expelled. Bankei ignored the case.
Later the pupil was caught in a similar act, and again Bankei disregarded the matter. This angered the other pupils, who drew up a petition asking for the dismissal of the thief, stating that otherwise they would leave in a body.
When Bankei had read the petition he called everyone before him. “You are wise brothers,” he told them. “You know what is right and what is not right. You may go somewhere else to study if you wish, but this poor brother does not even know right from wrong. Who will teach him if I do not? I am going to keep him here even if all the rest of you leave.”
A torrent of tears cleansed the face of the brother who had stolen. All desire to steal had vanished.
