Hm, I don't believe the copycats actually succeeded here. I bet if they didn't copy, innovation could have happened sooner. Copying just lets the company stay alive for longer since consumers can't differentiate easily, and said company can use the money to research new innovations.
Would you deny innovation in Japan tech sector for the last 30 years?
It's just that it takes some time, around twenty years, to switch from copycats to innovative products.