Yes, unless you are under warranty or there is a critical patch release. This habit emerged since the 'strategic' merge with Micro Focus. I think they are, in fact, in charge with all software side of HPE.

Yes, and also they are not HP servers, they are HPE. HP split off the server division into HPE Hewlett Packard Enterprise some years ago. I have a very high regard for HPE products, not so much for HP products...

It was not paywalled before. It's new for HPE. I don't know why they started doing it. Probably due to GreenLake (server renting) initiative.