One down side to open source projects is they are open to inspire others take the idea to market. Protection is limited. Nothing can be done.
However, it does inspire a certain degree of technological progress. Gaurav Manek has posted an entire open-source iPad and Microsoft Kinect controlled RC car complete with code and schematics. He used an off the shelf Arduino control board to send signals( via serial) to the RC car's radio controller, where motion commands are interpreted. At the moment the car still needs to be tethered to a PC to receive the signals. Likewise, the HTML5 web application and the Kinect both stream their respective serial data through the same conduits. Manek plans to make the whole serial emulation chain wireless in the near future.
Based on the ease of this project, phone/tablet controlled RC vehicles are sure to gather on the horizon. In the meantime, follow the link and grab the code. Looks like a fun weekend project.
Great work Gaurav Manek, I hope to see more.
Eavesdropper