Not all our maple leaves are red! And those are more realistic looking than many of the depictions we see (including our flag).
As for the copying ... isn't that done in pretty much every industry? Look at all the knock-offs in the fashion industry. And of course, the seasonal trends, one follows the other.
That's going to be a lovely fabric too ... what manufaturer? And are there different colour ways? I can see it as a backing for a quilt.