In reply to Aris Kuckovic.

I'd be hesitant to say they were exploiting a filter. They were adding filters in the way that they were intended to be used by the plugin authors. I can think of no valid reason that a plugin would make its affiliate URLs filterable outside of allowing other developers to use their own referral ID. I think if we're going to lay down any criticism about this specific aspect, we need to be pointing some fingers at the plugin authors too.

As for the automatic updating of a database option from a third-party plugin and the recommendation and subsequent affiliate link filters of plugins the theme didn't actually support, those things concern me more. They seem to cross the ethical boundary a bit more.

And, the Themes Team didn't back out of their decision. They merely decided to go a different route with the punishment. This theme is just as good of a testbed as any other.