I’ve yet to read/watch any interview or biographical piece with/about the Dead that is consistent with this view that the Dead "copied" The Band. Garcia was playing Bluegrass banjo before he even picked up a guitar or contemplated playing electric music. Weir started out playing acoustic Folk and Country.
It seems to me the material Garcia and Hunter produced during their Americana phase came very naturally. Based on the sheer quality of those songs, I don’t see how you can justify any claim that they were "derivitive" , musically. Garcia and Hunter had no need to copy anyone. They were quite capable of convincingly mining the same traditions as The Band without aping Robertson or anyone else. The quality of their compositions speaks for itself. Garcia had a musicologist’s love for and knowledge of all types of traditional music, unlike Robertson, who was "tutored" by Levon regarding what would come across as authentically traditional.
If you’re suggesting the Dead copied The Band strictly as a money-making strategy, with all due respect, you must not know much about the Dead. "Business savvy" they were most definitely not!
I enjoy The Band and the Dead equally and have played tunes by both for many years. With all due respect, I remain mystified regarding your zeal to "prove" The Band were the best of the best.