I dunno, isn't a demonstration of a few factors proof that someone somewhere has broken RSA, or has a machine much more powerful than we'd expect to exist? It's not proof that any of the math in the paper is correct, but it doesn't have to be. Even if there's a subtle error in the proof-as-written it doesn't matter if the implementation actually works.
But if the author of the paper (or even someone else with a credible reputation) was to public factors and say they used this method then it's useful evidence.
