I'm staying out of that part of the argument. I speak to practicality of the situation.
Like I said US patents are available online so question #1 can easily be answered.
Question #2 is a bit "dicier" ADA recommendations are being adopted by code enforcement as policy around the states, so each states codes will differ on this. There is no "federal code" for this, it's all based on localities. Plus the codes don't say polymer can't be used, just that the braille dots need to be rounded, or without sharp edges.
Quite honestly, another vendor over representing thier product or making up laws or codes to support thier product is a non issue... unless you want to take on all vendors who do this, why bother?
And, as I did mention, as far as I know polymer is not for outdoor use at all. It's basically seaweed.