I wouldn't mind collectable if it was by race or such. Like, you could buy an EA booster pack. The advantage of randomly sorted collectable from the manufacturers standpoint is everything sells. You don't end up with a whole bunch of Gaim or Abbai sitting around not getting bought up.
From a game play stand point it also has its advantages. You might end up with a good sized Vree fleet, and while you never wanted to play vree, you might decide to give them a chance and find out you like them.
It also is good for the community. Because you have more people getting together just to trade ships/cards so they can get what they want.
I didn't know you could put a patent on paper models? That's like patenting the book, in my opinion. Not just a book, but the idea of a story printed on paper bound between two covers.
