I think it`s juridically not entirely clear, if we are just allowed to play a game because we bought a license, or if we do in fact own a copy of that game.
But you`re right. There is no way of knowing that.
In theory it`s possible that RB didn`t mess up anything but instead ED did. Then it`s also possible that ED does the same shady move with other devs too. E.g. Heatblur, which will release the F-4 tomorrow, which then also won`t be finished like RB`s F-15.
So it seems wise not to buy any early access stuff for the moment, right?