I just found the "big" thread where this should have gone (I have been out of touch).

After reading the ones that think they are going to make money from us, the "Authorized dealers", my opinion is that it is a bunch of bs.

No big, respectable electronic company that I am familiar with requires such a stupid arrangement. Do you have to go to an "Authorized dealer" to upgrade your Canon printer?

My prediction is that in the end URC will change their policy because of a significant and maybe mortal drop in sales.