I'm really big on the open-source movement and the philosophy surrounding this movement. We've just released V4-WM and Outfitter for FREE, something that will revolutionise Poser 9 / Poser Pro 2012 figures and how they work. All of this is done to give back to the community.

Can one attach a dollar value to what this team has created? No. Because it's not about money, it's about community.

Artists are artists: we're getting a "world-renouned" artist to paint the facade of the hospital I work at for some sum (won't go into that, but it's a fair amount). Should this artist be doing this for free? I can't say. The organisation have been able to agree on a dollar value on his work. And this is where the real pivotal point is:

Look at this as a transaction, Johnny. You have the right to render this item under the terms of the artist's conditions of use. You wish to abide by those terms, so in order to to get his consent to use this in a setting outside of those conditions, you ask his permission. He asks for a certain amount of money. You find it too much to pay. Transaction is completed. You won't use his item for your commercial render. Everyone is happy. Sort-of.

We all use items that we either paid money for (like windows) and thus feel we can expect to have certain rights, or ones we received for free but with conditions. If the price this artist is asking is one you feel is too high, you have two options: the route you took or negotiate on the price. I wouldn't let feelings get into it: the artist feels the price is fair... you don't. MD developers feel the price for their software is fair; i don't. Transaction ends with you not using the item and me not buying MD.

Monterey/Mint21.x/Win10 - Blender3.x - PP11.3(cm) - Musescore3.6.2

Wir sind gewohnt, daß die Menschen verhöhnen was sie nicht verstehen
[it is clear that humans have contempt for that which they do not understand] 

Metaphor of Chooks