Imitation is always regarded as a survival strategy through which inferior firms can catch up the market leaders. All this time, imitation is belittled and is considered to be simple and easy. Due to the imperfection of imitation, imitation effect is also discounted. However, the latest research suggests that the imitation's incompleteness or imperfect imitation is the source of innovation. Imperfect imitation is attracting more and more attention, and especially for inferior firms in developing countries, imperfect imitation innovation is an effective and available way of innovation. Firstly, this paper accurately defines the concept of imperfect imitation innovation, and analyzes the motivations and influencing factors of imperfect imitation innovation. Secondly, it summarizes the effects of imperfect imitation innovation on enterprise innovation performance. Finally, it points out future research of imperfect imitation innovation.