Very simple question: Would you steal someone’s idea? Of course, the answer may not be as simple especially if you have morals and all that good stuff but if you think about it, an idea is just an idea unless someone actually puts that idea to good use.
The other day, I was sitting at a cafe having some lunch with a friend just minding my own business and playing with my new cell phone when the people at the table next to use starting talking about their ideas on a niche website.
Now I wasn’t eavesdropping, the table was literally right next to me. And it’s a pretty small cafe to begin with. But their conversation went something like this:
Cafe Person A: “Hey, can I tell you about my ideas on this new niche blog I’m doing?”
Cafe Person B: “Sure, I’d like to hear it.”
Cafe Person A: “I’m starting this niche site directed at X which will help people out, it has very low competition and I have everything mapped out already. This site isn’t going to go live for at least the next month while the site is being created. The name of the blog is X. What do you think about the name and domain name for it? It doesn’t sound too forced or anything, does it?”
Cafe Person B: “No, it sounds very good. It fits what you’re trying to do with X completely.”
Cafe Person A: “Now with blogs, you need to have some sort of tagline. My tagline is X. Does it sound too much like I’m forcing it?”
Cafe Person B: “I think it’s pretty straightforward. What are your other tagline ideas?”
Cafe Person A: “I have two other ones. Tagline X and Y.”
As you can see, the conversation kept going on and they were literally going over a step-by-step plan. And quite frankly, the idea, plan, website name, etc was actually pretty damn good. I mean, I wouldn’t be writing an entire post on this if it was a stupid or bad idea.
Of course, right after they left, I decided to check if that domain was actually purchase (since they won’t be setting up the site for another month) and it was. And I did some quick research on the very targeted niche and the competition was actually lower than I excepted.
Again, ideas are just ideas unless someone actually does something about it… or copyright it. But in this situation, it is not. Would you potentially take this specific idea and use it for yourself if you knew it would be very targeted and potentially be worth pursuing?
Personally, I’m not sure if I will but of course, I’ll be keeping it in the back of my head. I mean, it’s not about who comes up with the ideas first, it’s almost who does the idea better. 
Ooooh so tempting. Seeing how he is a random person, I might. Who am I kidding? Of course I would. You will still have to put in work. It is just an idea now, the hard part is making it succeed. I say, go for it!
Patrick Toerner´s last blog ..$1,000 a Month From a Minisite
People love to talk about ideas that excite them, not realizing others may be just as interested. I don’t know if I would take the idea or not, I suppose it depends on if it’s something I am interested in. And I wouldn’t really consider it stealing…just benefiting from it first. As a blog idea, there are many factors that determine who will actually succeed first.
Interesting position you are in. Most people’s ideas wouldn’t be worth stealing anyway but you’ve got some good stuff. Maybe do some more research and see if its a niche you want to go into.
I think its not bad, go for it dude. Or you may use the concept you heard on other niche sites that you are more familiar with.
Glenn´s last blog ..Moving…
I’d go for it. Frankly if they are talking about it publicly it can’t be a big secret, and even if it is, you never discuss specifics like that in a coffee shop.
If the niche interests you – get in before they launch and get a weeks head start on them
Carl @ AdSense Ebooks´s last blog ..Blogs to increase backlinks and traffic
I say go for it. More money in your pocket
Scott@ Forex Robot´s last blog ..Compare Forex Trading Software
Agreed. Most people these days do not even have original ideas for anything. It all boils down to who can do it better. In fact, I would bet that whatever X topic that person was speaking of, has already been thought of by someone else. It is a matter of who does it first and who does it better.
Everyone has great ideas…not everybody does something about them.
AJ @ Elegant Wordpress Themes´s last blog ..Retreat Premium Wordpress Theme
Depends if I’m interested with the niche or not
If I am then I’ll go for it. I don’t think it’s stealing, as long as you work out with their ideas and you didn’t copy everything they planned for that niche. It’s just inspiration 
and my the best man win
AudreyRose´s last blog ..3rd Bagasbas Summer Festival on April 9-11 in Daet
An idea is just so much fresh air. It’s not a physical entity, it doesn’t exit. It’s a notion, conversation, idle chitchat. An idea only comes to life when someone takes action and starts work on developing the idea. Until that time the idea is a free agent. Anyone can use it.
Paul Wilson´s last blog ..Secret Tip on How To Get A Free Radio Commercial
Reminds me of an old WW2 saying, “Loose lips sink ships.” Or my favorite, “Lurk & learn.” Their carelessness may cost them, but it will be an inexpensive lesson. If they figure out their mistake.