@Riot: How much would you need to pay Square Enix to get access to a SOLDIER Riven skin?

We all know why Riven hasn't gotten a skin that makes her look like Cloud: COPYRIGHT. But aren't their ways to get access to the IP by, say, paying royalties?

I'm not well-versed with copyright law, but AFAIK one can get permission to use an intellectual property if they pay a fee. That way, it's more of a loan rather than plagiarism.

But am I wrong?