I too hit this number, and all because I had got excited and started downloading all the extensions (though I did try finding the rate limit). My use-case was that I’d keep a local repository on a server that I could grab from. I’m sorry.
The rate limit of 100 per month does make sense. My only hope is this could be made more clear, I don’t think anyone wants to kill a free service.
As for the above, I really don’t see the ‘ethos’ being harmed by offering a monthly cost tier for a higher rate of downloads for greedy people – so long as the free (99% of people) remains free. Having these paid plans could even increase the download limit for free as well.
Alternatively, maybe they can mirrored to github, that way it’s just a git away?
I don’t know about the legal repercussions of this, mind you.