Yeah - I've heard all the Brooks fans say that the imitations aren't as well made, aren't as comfortable, don't last as long, and either break in too quickly or break in too slowly. I've never heard anything but rumor to support those claims, though. Making a bicycle saddle isn't magic - Equal thickness leather + equal thickness metal = equal quality saddles, IMHO. Now I do note that none of the imitations are exactly the same in dimensions or spring style as the Brooks. Maybe Brooks just has good lawyers and knows how to use them...
But with a Brooks B135 starting new at $180 and a B33 at $200, I may be willing to experiment for $27.89...