It's just capitalism pure and simple. I personally think it's distasteful to rip off a website design directly, but if they can launch a proven business model

It's just capitalism pure and simple. I personally think it's distasteful to rip off a website design directly, but if they can launch a proven business model in Europe quicker than the American originators (or because the American company can't/won't go international), why not? Imitation is the greatest form of flattery and all that.