It is very easy to build something the 2nd time especially when your competitor has invested heavily into working out the kinks. For many software-chop-shops it makes sense to find something with high downloads and without much competition, rip it off, and sell it at 1/2 the price. Repeat ad nauseum.
I think the only way to curb this race to the bottom is to re-introduce brand recognition to the consumer base. If software company X is known for producing well-tested-reliable software then I wouldn't hesitate to pay 20-50% more for their version of the software. Unless Windows Software does this I think it'll just be another lowest-bidder-wins marketplace.
Some software companies do this on the App Store, e.g. Toca Boca. They name all their apps "Toca <something>", and they're all in the same genre (kids' games with emphasis on free play - no goals or missions etc).
Their games cost $2; while it isn't a lot of money it's still above the minimum. And they seem to be doing pretty well too, several titles in the top 50 here long after release.
It is very easy to build something the 2nd time especially when your competitor has invested heavily into working out the kinks. For many software-chop-shops it makes sense to find something with high downloads and without much competition, rip it off, and sell it at 1/2 the price. Repeat ad nauseum.
I think the only way to curb this race to the bottom is to re-introduce brand recognition to the consumer base. If software company X is known for producing well-tested-reliable software then I wouldn't hesitate to pay 20-50% more for their version of the software. Unless Windows Software does this I think it'll just be another lowest-bidder-wins marketplace.