Very few of anything is original days, once an idea is used it reduces the originality pool, sometimes something similar can be ascribed to the the same source unfairly which makes it even harder. Those who find a new potential are the genetors of whatever it is, I think it's actually harder in some ways for those who follow on because it has to be different to the viewers, buyers, etc while still being trapped within the cage of the original.
I think a good if chauvinistic description would be describing it like this;
The Originators are the Fathers, and those who come after are the Sons trying to break free of their Father's shadow.