I've long suspected the issue is control over which version is considered the "Director's Cut". That is, I don't think GL is interested in depriving us of the OOT, but rather he wants to ensure that his chosen version is considered "Primary". I think he wants new and casual viewers to see the SEs before anything else (at the present time.)

I wonder if, for the BR set, it would be possible to provide the OOT, but add features that would compel users to perform extra steps in the menu in order to access any version the director doesn't then consider "Primary." Something like activating the commentary.