There is another word for "stealing IP" that has worked quite well in the software industry.
It's called open source.
Yes, most startups aren't releasing all their code or anything, but there is a huge culture of open source development tools and software.
I think this open source culture, where lots of stuff is available easily and for free, is a big reason why the software industry has been so successful, and why places like SF have been so successful. (IE, SF job hopping, and "stealing"/poaching engineering talent, so that knowledge transfers).
It's called open source.
Yes, most startups aren't releasing all their code or anything, but there is a huge culture of open source development tools and software.
I think this open source culture, where lots of stuff is available easily and for free, is a big reason why the software industry has been so successful, and why places like SF have been so successful. (IE, SF job hopping, and "stealing"/poaching engineering talent, so that knowledge transfers).