In stating that KBLB has patent protection, Thompson is implying they have a patent.
At no point did I think the patent was granted. I read it as us having patent protection. It starts at app submission and few lawyers would green light their companies continuing against patent IP as written. They can look at the patent. If they continue, then they would be convinced it does not infringe as per the letter they received or patent searches they have to do to check for prior art. There are no implications. The PR does not state that a patent has been issued or granted. I can see why there are trust issues, given your understanding of the PR.
KBLB has a long history of unsuccessful patent applications.