Well actually, he will be sending me a licensing contract to sign - so I *will* be held accountable for whatever he asks for the corporate licensing cost. That's why I've been considering other options.
Besides, I wouldn't feel right paying him $100 and then using the piece in a manner we hadn't agreed to for that price. (er, that is what you are suggesting, right H&K?)
I still disagree with the premise that I'm ripping him off anyway. I didn't contract the work in the first place. I saw this piece on a website, found out who made it, and considered licensing it from him. Saying that making something similar is ripping him off is like saying making a game that has mechanics similar to another game out there is "ripping them off," or writing music that hints at your influences is "ripping them off." There's a difference between blatant copyright infringement and simply being inspired by a piece.
Besides, I wouldn't feel right paying him $100 and then using the piece in a manner we hadn't agreed to for that price. (er, that is what you are suggesting, right H&K?)
I still disagree with the premise that I'm ripping him off anyway. I didn't contract the work in the first place. I saw this piece on a website, found out who made it, and considered licensing it from him. Saying that making something similar is ripping him off is like saying making a game that has mechanics similar to another game out there is "ripping them off," or writing music that hints at your influences is "ripping them off." There's a difference between blatant copyright infringement and simply being inspired by a piece.