i think everyone is creative, but if you have a rapid growing of anything (ie. economy, housing, people, etc), there is no room for creativity. what you need is FAST FOOD. get things done as quickly as possible and deliver to the hungry population. be there to take the largest possible market share. yes, it's all about MONEY. copying is the answer, for now.
copying is also the fastest way to learn. why your work experience is so important? obviously your employer knows you can bring the good things from your previous works and hopefully apply on your current job.
maybe decades later when people get fed up with the copies (and they will), the manufacturers will have to start thinking new strategies. by now, they have learned all the knowledge about other products (M4, HUMMER, sneakers, hamburger, whatever), and this is the beginning of evolution.
sounds familiar? it was JAPAN decades ago and now people seem to forget they COPIED, too. as they always said, "history repeats itself." how interesting.
okay, now back to the rifle. the CQ-311 was ALLOWED to be produced in a certain number. i haven't heard anything on the M4 yet. i think the M4 will likely to be available to you and me, because i know at least one canadian dealer has a demo already.