Well in this case they are all copies, aren't they?
Frank had a number of sets made for HOS that were copies of earlier designs. He did have some individual things on a number of these sets, making them the HOS classic look, but that notwithstanding they all are pretty much copies in one regard or another.
The final product was one that was not seen on the new chess set market for a high number of years in pretty much all the cases. And the prices were less than Jaques sets. So they were available to us, the masses.
I have seen Frank produce some of his own designs. The Best Chessmen Ever is also an original design from Jonas and made at Noj.
The Dubrovnik sets are all copies and none are made by the original manufacturer. Noj openly states this on their web site. In fact the whole "game" is to make a set that is identical to either Bobby Fischer's favorite one or the original 1950 version. You see, even Bobby was playing with and loved a copy. However, Noj was the first to come out with the Dubrovnik in recent history. They also have put a lot of attention and energy to making their products of the highest quality for a chess set. I do know that HOS also took an original set and had their craftsmen duplicate it, well sort of duplicate, to arrive at the product they now sell. In this they are copiers of copiers (if they used the later Dubrovnik/Fischer favorite set), not copiers of copiers of copiers.
We see a few individuals with independence of thought to come up with their own designs. Frank Camaratta and Jonas are 2 contemporary examples that come right to mind. Both have created their own design sets of which nothing just like that design existed before.
When he started his company, Frank took Chess set designs from 1849 to the 1940's or so and had sets recreated. Being an antique chess set collector and expert he had sets and sketches enough where he could have duplicate designs made. What Frank did was to maintain or be true to the design and still add his own creative and technical touches to these sets, making them a Frank Camaratta creation. Talk with a few like Frank Helwig, Robb_Chess, and a number of others who have owned and played with Frank's original reproductions. You will hear that the sets are exquisite in how they play in the hand as well as look and feel. While I have never played with one of these antiques, I would bet just a little bit of money that Frank's sets feel and/or play better than the originals. So, I have to tell you that Frank Camaratta is not one who ever slavishly copied any design. He was creatively aware at all times of what he was doing.
Sure, we can look at today's retailers and see lookalike sets on many different sites and by many different manufacturers. They are truly the slavish copiers.
I know that many people on this forum like and respect Vik and his Chess Bazaar. Heck, he has the audacity, yes audacity, to copy not only the design of the pieces but he also copies the exact name of the set that Frank and The House of Staunton originated. As an example look at the Zagreb set. If anyone is a slavish copier it is this company/fellow. Oh, I know that this company/person is not alone in this. Look at The House of Chess and a few other India based companies. They are knocking off copies left and right.
Might not The House of Staunton, etc., and their Indian associates be interested in producing their own designs and not only slavishly copying other designs? Are the Noj Dubrovnik I and II Knights really more intricate than the HoS Dubrovnik Knight?