It used to bother me when I noticed artists "copying" U2, but now I view it as a compliment to U2's artistic integrity, brilliance, originality, longevity, and success. U2 are rock and roll heroes to many bands today and I think others find them fashionable at the moment so inevitably the "copycats" will rear their ugly head. It's just a shame that bands can't create their very own "Joshua Tree" album without so obviously copying the original creators of it. Just goes to show you that a)bands like Creed lack true originality and b)won't stand the test of time because when you think about it, ALL the great bands in music history (even Madonna) broke all the rules and were at least ORIGINAL. Creed is certainly NONE of those and in my opinion are simply another example of average musicians with average songs who need to attach themselves to rock and roll icons like U2 for their own relevancy. I mean, when Creed's manager said "Weathered" would be Creed's Joshua Tree I at first vomited profusely before saying "Yup, for yours and the band's sake, you better HOPE IT IS", which, after listening to it, it clearly is NOT!
In any case, I still think it is a compliment to U2 that even wannabe's like Creed embrace them. Sure, they copy our boys, but isn't that the greatest sign of respect to U2?