And to address your title directly:
No, no it fucking isn't.
Massively inconvenient, but not a 'sneaky way to force us to buy an iPhone 5'.
Download iOS 6 GM from developer.apple.com/ios
Restart your device is DFU mode
Option click 'Restore' and select the iOS 6 GM .ipa from its download location
Restore.Problems that (1) cause companies to charge more usually don't receive the same get-it-fixed priority as (2) problems that cause companies to lose money. This is an example of (1).
With these kinds of problems, it could be said to be laziness or carelessness causing a company to make money at the expense of users. But when a company is aware of this kind of problem and doesn't sufficiently prioritize getting it fixed, or in this case where Apple is trying to force users to pay for a new phone, eventually it is a sneaky way to force money out of customers.
No, it isn't.
Drama sucks, could you try to not stir any up for no reason?