It doesn't look like they will enforce it. They say they plan to support the direct explorer to playback. I hope because if they start adding the files I play to some sort of library, whether by duplicating the binaries or not, this is the end of me using VLC.

What I like a lot less is controls overlaid on the video. It's a matter of taste but for me I absolutely hate that. Don't mess with the image. If I want the controls to disappear I am happy to go full screen. Skype is doing the same and it is annoying as fuck.