"No doubt the media companies' DRM interests are partially responsible for this." I think there's some truth in this, but you're wrong here. The problem isn't

"No doubt the media companies' DRM interests are partially responsible for this." I think there's some truth in this, but you're wrong here. The problem isn't DRM, but what DRM is (impotently) reacting against. This is the fault of the culture of "free." If people are not willing to pay for stuff, then the model must be turned around and the user monetized exactly as you describe. That's because nothing is actually free. Everything costs money and someone has to pay. If it's not users it must be advertisers, governments, etc. Free "as in beer" is a socially destructive idea and is the enemy of free "as in freedom." Edit: bring on the downvotes! Doesn't change the facts. If you don't pay, you are not a customer.