If the Framework Laptop had a keyboard option with a TrackPoint-style pointing stick (and 3 physical mouse buttons between the keys and the touchpad), it would be a very strong contender against ThinkPads. Lenovo has handicapped recent ThinkPad models with soldered memory, and the TrackPoint is their only remaining unique feature.
the exact thinkpad style is probably patented but it's a pointing stick, a feature common across laptops in the past. I know for sure that some Dells (TrackStick) and HPs (PointStick) had them.
If other companies can provide keyboards with a TrackPoint [1], then I think it should be possible - disclaimer, I have such an external keyboard, the Shinobi, and the TrackPoint movement (on Linux) is actually better and more accurate than on my ThinkPad laptop.
Framework community discussion: https://community.frame.work/t/any-chance-of-trackpoint