It’s all open source software lol. “Imitators” make shittier products. Bitcoin clones that have sufficient network effects provide the exact same experience and quality (arguably better for some). 

Bitcoin: a castle with no moat. Anyone can build an identical digital castle as there’s no patented tech or secret. The value isn’t in its tech (can be copied), it’s in the community that uses it/network effects. 

Bitcoin’s tech isn’t unique or different or inherently special. Value is tied entirely to network effects, which have been declining against its first clone (LTC) for the last 5 years.