If it was in a patch its definitely not published to everyone. But its known that valve doesnt allways publish such updates. There used to be a problem with 4 cp payload stages before badwater (maps that had them allways recieved the map differs from server error, the heavy update contained that fix). Same with neutral payload cps. Things like that are suggested and they realize they do have a impact on custom gamemodes. As valve likes those they do add such minor stuff.
I dont know if its old or new but you dont have to expect that valve will make a gamemode with that flag. They could have simply done that so the custom maps can have a better flag skin.