Regarding music, I've laid out a formula here: "Using a solution of microformats, browser and OS media tracking, and direct-to-creator payments, a new Web mode

Regarding music, I've laid out a formula here: "Using a solution of microformats, browser and OS media tracking, and direct-to-creator payments, a new Web model is quite possible." http://cleanzap.com/grabbing-music-from-the-net/ http://cleanzap.com/grabbing-music-from-the-net/ Basically, the creator applies metadata to their media, and lets it circulate (P2P, fansites, internet radio - anything) wherever it needs to go from the outset. A Creative Commons Attribution license is used. Browsers, media players, or a special app tracks whatever is played locally and a special app regularly prompts for voluntary payment at regular times. Only 5% may pay - but in a global world with low production costs, that might be enough. http://Musicbrainz.org http://Musicbrainz.org can be used to retag the files if the metadata is corrupted along the way. News can also be 'solved' the same way - track what's being consumed and let the consumer voluntarily pay later. Few will pay, but in paying, other benefits can be obtained, like the content creator being able to give previews or special releases to their known audiences.