It is true some companies deny permission for these third parties to use the copyrighted artwork in these modules, which is usually a prerequisite to go ahead with such a module.
If you look back a little further in consimworld - MMP, and look into the SCS (Standard Combat Series) forum in consimworld, you will see what the initial hubbub was about. Dean Essig said that he was told not to release any more VASSAL modules for his games. Brian revoked that decision earlier today, though.
A lot of MMP's VASSAL modules are actually created by people quite close to the designer. VASSAL modules are often created to facilitate playtesting, so it's already there and ready, before the game is published.
As an example, Ed Beach said that his latest CGACW module was 95% playtested with VASSAL or CB. Most, if not all, of the latest Gamers products are playtested using VASSAL. I'm playtesting a Gamers product that might not be printed for a year or more, but the VASSAL module is 100% ready to go.
That being said, I don't expect MMP to release VASSAL modules. The initial concern was that they were not -allowing- the release of a new VASSAL module. I suppose people will always be able to scan their game art and make their own modules, which is how it often works. My first questions to Brian were to clarify MMP's stance on VASSAL, since it was obvious that something had changed.
And I'm glad I asked, because
1) They've revoked their decision to stop allowing the production of VASSAL modules, and
2) We've all learned a little more about MMP's future plans w.r.t. online gaming.