I'm not trying to cast aspersions... just to state facts.
I'm not just talking about European startups, but this also happens within the US ecosystem. Take the latest and greatest: SnapChat vs Poke.
Additionally, if a US startup does not service the rest of the world (specially in e-commerce, which is what Rocket Internet focuses on) they are giving others an opportunity; and others have the right to execute this. Take Gilt copying Vente Privee; VP is not calling Gilt a copy cat.