Is it proprietary? Patented?
How does it make money?
no & no... and it doesn't. (I think)
My current 'understanding' :
1) Any group of individuals can start an LN room. Securely and trust free.
2) You cannot join a room once it has been created.
3) You cannot add funds to a room, except for those added at the inception, once the room has been created.
4) The group transacts amongst themselves at high speed with no limit on the TXN numbers, in the room, off the main chain.
5) Finally, at some point, the room is closed and 1 TXN is sent out on the main chain, that gives everybody their final BTC tally.
6) If you want to continue, you need to create a new room.