I've been told that if a website doesn't allow direct links to its files, then the download link will lead to the webpage which hosts it. I'm not sure about the registered member restriction, but I'm about 95% sure Poser City is not the only one to do that. But, I will admit that as I have not ever uploaded an item to the freestuff, I am not on intimate terms with the TOS for them.

As for favoring a contributor over another - the uploads are automatic - they are not reviewed. In any case, I would think that cross-community support would be a good thing. While I spend most of my time at Renderosity, I do like coming across other communities that support Poser & 3D art - most of the ones I find are thru here via free stuff. That some require membership doesn't bother me if they are free. :)