Can we copy a smart contract

Question

If smart contracts are completely open source and viewable to the public, then what stops someone from copying someone else's work to create an exact copy of their service? Is the value completely tied to the UX/UI of a blockchain organisation's application using a smart contract?

Answer 1

While the contract is open-source, if you were to copy the source and deploy it on the ethereum network yourself, it would have a different address and you would have to convince people to use your contract over the creator's. For that you would either have to offer lower fees, build a better brand value, add more features or build a better advertising campaign.

Keep in mind that open source doesn't always mean free to use. If the contract is not published with a license, maybe that gives you permission to copy or deploy it