moved to webforumz cafe
if you paid for the template, you are entitled to everything that goes with it, that includes the images, content , coding any database and
ftp access
you don't buy a car then have the manufacturer lock the bonnet and say, 'well, you only bought the shell, the engine belongs to us, so if you want to sell it or do anything to it, you have to bring it to us', do you ?
if this developer wants to get snotty, threaten them with legal action
very technically you could look at your website as property and if these people are denying you access to your property for 'ransom amounts' then that is illegal
what they are trying to do is make sure that if there is any work that needs doing on the site, then you have to pay them to do it.
wholly wrong,
write them an official letter ( which should include relevant areas from your contract ),
keep a copy
also make sure it needs to be signed for on delivery ( a third party record ) ,
then if they still don't action it ( leave it at least a month - and warn them in the letter of the time limit )
see a solicitor and get them to write a letter,
if still nothing is done, the last resort would be court...