I feel like chipping on this as well considering my software development history and the fact I've been amused, as well as disappointed in how people have reacted over that comment and GPM.
I don't think most people realize there's an extremely good and legitimate reason companies/developers do as G17 is, in limiting who/where hosts their files. The reason for this is the fact that so long as the file is hosted here, and places they've "Authorized" is because it lets them keep an eye on the files, and in turn the safety of users, because if you download the mod from a site that they don't know about/didn't authorize (and therefore aren't monitoring), you could be downloading malware of some sort for all anyone knows.
So I think people need to understand rather than think G17 is being silly/restrictive, if anything I think they're most likely looking out for the safety of users and their own reputation by avoiding anyone doing anything malicious with what is obviously a popular mod.