What was the inspiration for "Many copies, no original"? In GITS SAC 2nd GiG, what was the original inspiration for the concept of "many copies, no original"?

Does the concept have a name in real life? Or was it just a concept the writers created just for the show?
This was a comment first, but converted to an answer.

The hole idea is called Simulacra and was investigated by Jean Baudrillard. The original inspiration was Salingers short story "The laughing Man".

The concept is now also known as "Stand Alone Complex", but it's not frequently used, except (for example) for the group Anonymous.

Also, this question may have some additional information.