I'm sure they've used some unique combination, treatment and application of those materials to create this effect.
It's to encourage the sharing of techniques!
The spokesman is under no obligation, legal or otherwise, to make this easier than necessary. That is how the game is played. Nor is he a lawyer, or foolish enough to issue an off-the-cuff statement that undercuts the work of the actual team that has crafted the wording of the patents.
I was trying to address kondro's obvious confusion about mikeknoop's point, not pass judgement on anyone in the article.
Take X, Do Y, Add special sauce Z. We have patented this method biatches, no touchies.