i like the imperium comparison, it seems quite apt :) that would make gw's board of chairmen equivalent to the lords of terra: secure in the 'knowledge' of their own supremecy, saying 'this is how things are because we say so and no-one can challenge us', and refusing to accept that they are in danger from their competitors who aren't stagnating but evolving to take advantage of the obvious holes in their strategy.
i'm not actually familiar with gw's competitors because, despite the lack of respect gw seems to have for its fanbase, no-one else has such a long and detail-filled background. the story of 40k is really the only thing that keeps me as part of the fanbase and i don't even buy gw's models from gw, i either get them as gifts or purchase them from 3rd party sellers at a fraction of the cost it would be from gw - for example, i recently bought a finecast terminator chaplain, brand new, for £4 from a 3rd party seller. the same model from gw's site costs £13!!