you can paten the viking RF chip. so mo one can make the same pcb design. (change the layout to get around it)
you cannot paten any viking controllers, as they are essentually a microsoft product which violates the MS terms of use.
you could paten the code and gui as intelectual property, but all someone has to do is change one fire rate and they can avoid your paten.
you cant paten the bootloader as it was not created by viking.
so, would this be wothit and usefull?....NO
as far as other companies that have patten pending on thier website, If I posted on my site that pigs could fly, would you believe me also? I would bet $100 they havent even applied for a paten. even if they did as I stated above, it would only prevent someone from resaleing the exact same product as the viking.