Matt Cutts, head of Google’s Webspam team lays out why its important to write your own content.
I can tell you that when I have a ProStores client that is selling a branded item that comes with a manufacturer provided description those products always do better if they let me take that information and write a unique description than if they just stuck with the original manufacturer description.
One of the reasons is that many sites just copy and past what the manufacturer send them. They you have 20 sites or so all with the same basic content. When you can provide the same [B]information[/B] but written in a unique manner you have a much better chance of sticking out in the rankings.
Granted there are always those powerhouse sites that have been online for 10 years longer than anyone else who seem to rank well no matter what. But you can’t focus on them. Focus on one thing realistic goal at a time and work your way up.
Search Marketing and Search Optimization is a marathon, not a sprint. Anyone that tells you otherwise is either stupid or lying.