"Winning a flame war is like winning gold at the special olympics.." 

Personally, I see nothing wrong with someone asking for $$ if their product is going to be used by someone else in a commercial venture. Its only fair. After all, if you're going to be using it in a commecial venture, you should be able to afford it? It would be akin to you creating some renders, putting up for others to see, then someone adds those images to their pay site.. You created it, put it up for free but somoene else makes money from it.. ?

If someone is able to create something I am not able to myself, and it benifits me in the long run, why should they not be rewarded for their time and effort.. and skills that I do not possess? 

its like everything else.. if you don't want to pay licensesing fees then don't use it.. 

but that's just me..