Yes they do have a patent, but i suspect that IRIS magnetic control is a different patent. So could probably be used for a panner if licensed from them.
And i think that there are other mechanics usable, like the well known two axis gimbal joystick, that do not have probably any patent (it is used inside every RC model remote control with pots instead of servo motors). Not as smart and silent as the magnetic control from IRIS, but should be enough for a surround panner application.
Would be a very interesting diy project.
Microsoft had a motorized joystick (sidewinder force feedback) a few years ago that was not very expensive.
So this is definitely something doable for a reasonable cost with today available components (arduino…) and 3D printing.
It’s definitely something that would be better as an opensource project. In recent history, this kind of low sales volume devices are not correctly supported on the long term by the rare manufacturers who makes them. Or when they are well supported, the manufacturers go to bankrupt quite fastly.