@bluefirestorm,
i put in a support ticket, we'll see.
as for reason (1), possible, but i wasn't using a VPN when getting updated lic + downloads in myvmware. i do make use of opennic dns servers though. Akamai is known to be blocked from many places along with Akamai blocking well known services, as you mention some VPN services. i changed opennic to quad9. didn't help, but didn't think it would.
as for reason (2), not applicable in this case.
tech support may be able to help & i'll try one a few VPNs i have.
thanks