He charges $20 for registration.$20 is not alot of money compared to some software.
His program does not have the features of ICQ or Instant Messenger.It doesn't have the holes either. A messenger can largely only connect to one network too. mIRC can connect to an infinite number.
Most people use his program to transfer files and rarely use it to chat (which is its intended purpose).Well, messenger users would never transfer files now would they...
Conclusion: The article on the site is a rant.