Both questions, mean more or less the same thing, but the difference is that when you inspire someone you feel honored, and on the other hand when your idea is taken without your consent and receives no acknowledgment, then you feel cheated.
The owner of Reusenicks, Ms. Wyler is very annoyed because she believes that owners of The Green Garmento stole her idea and didn't give her any credit for it.
A recent article in The New York Times, reported about a clash between these two companies, and made us wonder, as to what can one do when somebody else takes away your idea? You can surely go ahead with a lawsuit, but are you ready to shed a considerable amount of money for that?
Not Ms. Wyler, she is not looking for money or willing to spend on a lawsuit, she is simply angry about the fact that Mr. Siegel and his wife met her, offered to invest in her company and when she turned down the proposal they went ahead and founded a similar company of their own. "Can you believe this guy? He stole our idea." Ms. Wyler says.
So, what do both companies sell?
Eco-friendly dry-cleaning bags.
Ms. Wyler founded her company Reusenicks way back in 1990, and the environmentalist that she is, she started making plastic free dry cleaning and grocery bags. Later she had to close the company for couple of years and re-opened her eco-friendly business again in 2007. In 2008, she met Mr. Siegel and his wife in a trade show, who later founded their company The Green Garmento.
Now, both the companies are arguing about 'rightful owner of the idea'. Mr. Siegel clarifies that "she is not owed anything for our idea".
Whoever or whatever is behind the idea, one thing is for certain that both the companies are into a noble business of providing nature friendly, yet useful products. And with the coverage given to them in The New York Times, their will be an improvement in their sales figure for sure.
I got a free Green Garmento coupon from their website. These bags rock.
Yeah, we too love the idea of eco-friendly bags. :)