Stanislav_J writes ""The internet is a copy machine. At its most foundational level, it copies every action, every character, every thought we make while we ride upon it. In order to send a message from one corner of the internet to another, the protocols of communication demand that the whole message be copied along the way several times...Unlike the mass-produced reproductions of the machine age, these copies are not just cheap, they are free." So begins the musings of Kevin Kelly, Senior Maverick at Wired magazine. In a very thought-provoking essay, "Better Than Free," he probes the question of how thoughts, ideas and words that are so constantly, easily, and casually copied can still have economic value. "If reproductions of our best efforts are free," he asks, "how can we keep going? To put it simply, how does one make money selling free copies?" He enumerates and explains eight qualities that can, indeed, make something financially viable — "better than free." A very timely article in light of the constant barrage of RIAA/piracy/copyright discussions on this website. The essay cannot be easily or briefly summarized, so (though it is asking a lot of Slashdotters), I urge you to (*gulp*) RTFA before commenting."
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