Why can’t it be released online? I know there are reasons, I just don’t know what they are.
Legal reasons. Mike has been trying to be completely above-board on his work. He has been in direct contact with both Disney/Fox and probably others. To violate that “friendship” would most likely be very disastrous for him. As a private project he probably wouldn’t get into too much trouble owning that restoration…but as a PUBLIC entity that is where multiple legal teams would eat him alive…unless he had express permission to release it.
At least it exists. And if we are lucky someday we fans will get a copy to cherish.