I don't think that definition applies to my MSP-JNU round trip with the stopover on the return in SIT. I guess it depends what one's definition of "part of a published fare." That certainly doesn't eschew any further obfuscation.
I am not javabytes, but I don't see any difference between layovers and stopovers, so my assumption is that the rules are the same (pending your answer to my question as to which airlines treat the two differently per your definition).
+1
No difference between layovers and stopovers, at least as far as routing is concerned. The only difference is the duration, with layovers being <24h for int'l and stopovers being >= 24h.
I'm also not aware of any airline that doesn't count connections in MPM. Otherwise, what would the point of MPM? In every case I'm aware of, MPM replaces specific routing rules. You don't have both. For example, ORD-CDG MPM is 4977 miles via the Atlantic. It doesn't matter where I connect, as long as those connections don't push my trip from ORD-CDG over 4,977 miles.
[KVS Availability Tool 6.3.0/Diamond - Routing Rules: ORD-CDG/DL/TLXP41US/841 USD]
Code:
CHIPAR-DL 22JUL12 *RULE DISPLAY* TARIFF 0001 RULE US3P
* ADD APPLICABLE TAX * FED INSP FEES *
-FARE BASIS USD NUC PTC FT GI
TLXP41US R 360.00 360.00 ADT EX AT
TLXP41US/CH00 R 360.00 360.00 CNN EX AT
TLXP41US/CH00 R 360.00 360.00 INS EX AT
TLXP41US/IN90 R 36.00 36.00 INF EX AT
TLXP41US/CH00 R 360.00 360.00 UNN EX AT
BOOKING CODES T
PFCS MAY VARY BY RTG
INDUSTRY FARE TYPE - XPN - INSTANT PURCHASE NONREFUNDABLE
MPM - AT 4977 VIA NORTH ATLANTIC
---------------------------------------------------------------
ROUTING MPM MPM TRVL PERMITTED