I'm not seeing it ... I think endorsements are a pretty obvious function of a business social network and while there are a few similarities, the way LinkedIn implemented its features is in alignment with the rest of their site.
I'll state right now that I have been using LinkedIn for a long time (and have never heard of Zerply), but the OP seems a bit disingenuous since it's pretty obvious he's working there. How about ignoring LinkedIn (who's probably ignoring you or at least too busy to bother) and focus on delighting your customers?
EDIT - I just noticed that one of the other posts on your site is titled "Forget The Competition" ... here's the link if you'd like to read it: http://blog.zerply.com/post/27334086592/forget-the-competiti.... The good news is that I think your site has potential and would sign up if enough of my cohorts were there. Let's see what happens!
Whats so disingenuous? I could easily of got someone else to post this for me if that was my aim. Im just sharing on HN what I've already shared on our blog and twitter. Not hiding anything here, I work for Zerply.
As for LinkedIn they have around 30 members of their core team logging into our site regularly, and have blatantly copied one of our core features and its copy. Do we care? Not really, as you said they are huge we are relatively small. Do we try to keep people honest, and at the same time boast of how proud we are to inspire the big boys, sure... why not =)
Tomorrow we go back to building a kick ass product and forget about it, until next time.
R.E EDIT - Yeah its a good blog post that, I wrote it =)
To be honest I'm just having a play with this news to get some reaction, I'm sure LI won't even bat an eye lid to it.
But good to hear that you see potential in our product, I'm sure your 'cohorts' will find their way on to Zerply sooner or later :p
It's the risk we run when playing in this arena. Lots of space for imitation/theft -> plausible deniability -> lean & favoritism for the "big boy". Fear of this happening used to cripple me and my efforts in the past.
At least in this case there's plenty of press that "endorsements" was on Zerply first.
I wouldn't let that fear put you off if you have an idea your really passionate about. At the end of the day the success or failure of a startup/idea is in its execution and not exclusivity.
I'll state right now that I have been using LinkedIn for a long time (and have never heard of Zerply), but the OP seems a bit disingenuous since it's pretty obvious he's working there. How about ignoring LinkedIn (who's probably ignoring you or at least too busy to bother) and focus on delighting your customers?
EDIT - I just noticed that one of the other posts on your site is titled "Forget The Competition" ... here's the link if you'd like to read it: http://blog.zerply.com/post/27334086592/forget-the-competiti.... The good news is that I think your site has potential and would sign up if enough of my cohorts were there. Let's see what happens!