I would disagree with that statement.  Especially in an opensource environment often 'first' is the only thing you can ever really claim... because 10 minutes later 'only' isn't true any longer.  Not to mention that a huge amount of the argument for BTC in the first place is that very reason - despite thousands of alt-coins.

The important thing is not to use leverage or deceit to be able to hold on to 'only'... because that is much more destructive to progress than a thousand people all screaming 'first' at the same time.

JMHO of course.