If i can think of something someone already has. the law is self applicable.
if the idea is an engineering one nobody who is not an engineer will be the first to get such an idea.
an example of it in action is konrad lorenz is said to have discovered imprinting, where a goose will follow the first living thing it sees "thinking it is the gosling's mother." it turns out ancient chinese farmers led geese around to have them eat bugs and grass.