Auteur: Sander Limonard, Jop Esmeijer
Datum: 1-4-2008
Instituut: TNO ICT
Tijdschrift: EuroCPR conference paper
Titel: User Generated Content: Business Models and Copyright
Abstract: This paper investigates viable business models and copyright policies applied to user generated content (UGC) services. Market players come from various backgrounds and adopt different strategies to create and capture value with user generated content and deal with copyright issues. Based on extensive market research and 13 case studies, this paper identifies the business models and strategies to deal with copyright issues for three different service providers. The starting point for exploring viable business models is the fact that user generated content in principle serves a niche market and is part of the ‘long tail’ of content. We argue that it is impossible in terms of business feasibility to gain full control over the content and dynamics on these long tail platforms. Social recommendation mechanisms are a requirement to market these niches to users, but also enable service providers to partner with stakeholders. In line with the business logic of the long tail, service provider do not aim to fully control copyrighted content. Service providers as well as content owners seem to be accepting that content with only a small audience is not worth controlling, as the costs to keep control outrun the benefits of upholding copyrights.