I believe you mean 'patent rights'. I agree that the appliance might be patented or patent apllied for, but the internal components are sourced from existing component suppliers, Fasco, being just one of many..... In this particular scenario, it's a Fasco axial flow motor/fan assembly. I know about patents, I hold 3 myself for design executions unrelated to this forum.
Touching on patent rights and patent infringement, I'm of the opinion that a patent is only as good as the paper it's written on and not much more. Patent rights are infringed on every day by third world countries (China especially). What makes a secure patent idea secure is the ability to produce the idea commercially, at a price point below what the competition can make a similar item for. Thats what secures a patented idea.
If I had the desire, I too could build solid fuel appliances in the fabrication/machine shop that I own, utilizing variants of all the good ideas that existing designs incorporate. I have no desire to do that simply because the market is already saturated with manufacturers and it's a cyclical market goverened entirely by the cost of domestic fuel sources and public perception regarding that cost.
You need to understand that I'm a manufacturer in another arena unrelated to this venue. I get to play everyday and insure that my employees retain their jobs and are contributing members of society.
So, in principle, I agree but in execution, I don't.