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Content Licensing: The Key to Preserving Freedom and Meritocracy on the Internet

Published on 2024-10-01 by Chomes

content licensing
meritocracy
digital freedom
internet democracy
open source

The internet, as we know it, is at a turning point. What began as a chaotic but fundamentally open ecosystem has been increasingly shaped by commercialization. Every tweet, meme, or blog post created by an individual user becomes part of the broader content ecosystem, often utilized in ways that prioritize corporate interests.

This commercialization goes beyond ads. It affects control over content, shifting user-generated material into a predominantly corporate playground where the value of individual contributions can be overshadowed. This article explores a potential solution to regain control over content ownership: content licensing.

The Problem: Commercial Exploitation of User Content

Content posted online—whether a clever phrase, an insightful post, or a photo—is often used by platform companies for their own benefit, without direct compensation to the creator. This practice devalues individual contributions and opens the door for exploitation by bots and automated actors. In 2023, bots accounted for a staggering 49.6% of all internet traffic, with malicious bots making up 32% of that[1]. These bots are primarily responsible for scraping user-generated content, often for commercial purposes, leaving creators without control over how their work is used or monetized.

Key Challenges in the Current Internet Landscape:

The Consequences of Losing Authentic Human Content

As more content is generated by bots or optimized solely for ad revenue, we risk an internet devoid of authentic human creativity. Some researchers refer to this scenario as the "Dead Internet" hypothesis, where much of the online activity is driven by automated actors rather than real human engagement. This trend could undermine the internet's original meritocratic ideals, where valuable ideas gained prominence based on their quality.

The Solution: Licensing Your Content

One potential solution is content licensing. By adopting licenses such as CC-NC-SA, creators can signal that their content is not for commercial use. This approach supports ethical content sharing and can help differentiate between authentic, non-commercial contributions and content created for profit.

Benefits of Licensing Your Content:

The Path Forward: Restoring Meritocracy Online

A collective movement towards content licensing could help restore the internet's meritocratic nature. When creators attach non-commercial licenses to their work, it becomes easier to distinguish between genuine, value-driven content and material produced for profit or by automated systems.

This movement is about supporting human-driven creativity. The internet was envisioned as a place where ideas compete based on their value—not their profitability. Content licensing is one tool that could help us move back towards that vision, rewarding creators for their genuine contributions.

Imagine a future where platforms must adapt to a growing volume of licensed, non-commercial content. Such a shift could fundamentally change how content is created, shared, and monetized, empowering creators and reducing exploitation.

Call to Action: Start Licensing Your Content Today

If you want to take control of your work and support an open, ethical internet, consider starting with a Creative Commons license:

Footnotes

1. Imperva Bad Bot Report 2023. Available at: Imperva Resource Library

2. Microsoft Earnings Release FY24 Q4. Available at: Microsoft.com

3. LinkedIn Post: Sanjay Dubey. Available at: LinkedIn

6. F5 Labs. “What Are Scrapers and Why Should You Care?”. Available at: F5 Labs