Xyxox
Hero
I doubt that third party publishers are deciding to forego the much larger expected 4e market just so they can ensure to keep the pdf sales on old product for an expected much smaller market eight years from now.
Have you got a link to demonstrate the "much larger expected 4e market"? I haven't seen any such speculation (outside WotC, of course). The limiting nature of the GSL makes me suspect the opposite, in fact, will be what's seen.