I have to add that with Znak it! the registration barrier you mention is easy to jump over, as it is raised only once. Then, if the users do not want to login and log out each time, the system can run all their content request and payment transactions for them, just like in Skype, for example. More, the Znaks can be redeemed at any participating site with any type and form of content (in a few weeks we will open an online music service available for Znaks!) and therefore the system reduces the need to register and helps maintain users privacy. In the long run, Znak it! results in less registration and easier access — two clicks with your mouse and all can be done for the users and the content provider, of course, by the platform itself.

As for your second point, Znak it! can be customized in such a way that the content providers have a full price control and full transparency of the traffic/content usage; they can change the price to stimulate usage in real time, based on the stats and users’ ratings available from the control panel; they can also let the users to set up their own prices (auction-style), or they can let the content to be downloaded for free — whatever the overall strategy or needs are.

I must also add that the users have the opportunity to earn Znaks buy clicking on interactive ads and surveys. In other words, some content can be still sponsored by advertisers and therefore “free” to the Web users the way it is “free” now, the Google or Yahoo style. The important difference is that up to 97% of the credits from the advertising agencies go directly to the content providers.

This is why I dare to claim the system is better, more flexible, safer and nearly intuitive to use — a real win-win situation. It can be used by large content providers as well as individual bloggers. It can be used by the Web users in social networks to trade or exchange virtual and even real goods.

I can’t say I love your concept for news, though, other than the tiny amount of content that news providers can charge for, because it seems like another barrier for the consumer to jump; and with general news online users aren’t willing to jump (as free registration walls’ failure at many newspaper websites proved).

And there’s still the (unproven) argument of which will work better: 1) traditional model of publisher setting the price and maintaining control, or 2) ceding some control to the user/reader and letting them tell the publisher what something’s worth to them.

You keep forgetting about Znak it! In my opinion (and I know it very well, because I have developed and run it ), Znak it! is far better than Kachingle or any other content monetization solution proposed or already in use.

Znak it! was developed back in 2007, when the today’s need (so apparent now) to monetize content in more ways than through advertising was obvious to only a few people. It was conceptualized by a group of MBAs from IESE on a tour to Stanford/Silicon Valley companies and Idealab, and then presented during the 2008 Web 2.0 Expo as the next-generation content monetization solution, ideal for media creators and publishers.

Earlier this year, Znak it! was invited to participate in the Digital Innovators’ Summit in Berlin, where it was reviewed by peers and media executives, including those from Axel Springer, Hearst, Forbes and many more. Znak it! was also one of the Silver Sponsors and Exhibitors of the 2009 Web 2.0 Expo; it is very well known to Tim O’Really and Clay Shirky (even though the latter does not like it; he does not like any micropayment solution). It is also known to Steven Brill and Alan Mutter, whom I approached months ago and presented the idea. The fact that they have chosen to develop and market their own schemes (without ever acknowledging the source of their inspiration) does not change much. Znak it! is out there; it operates and… it is still the best digital content monetization solution.

I invite you to check it out http://www.znak-it.com. The system is server-based and works in the “back room,” so, you cannot see it, but we just launched two portals (that are far from perfection); they are mainly to illustrate the idea and its advantages — but I hope you can judge for yourself Znak’s major benefits: its simplicity, universality, safety, and most of all, an unprecedented return of up to 97% of the content retail price. No other online monetization system can offer so much without any initial fees or heavy integration and maintenance costs.

Cheers.

This is what is known as an EXCHANGE – of intellectual work for money. It is not a donation. It is not a charge. Like all good bargains both parties enter into such an exchange agreement of their own volition.

No monopoly/copyright/threat of prosecution necessary. The news can spread far and wide.

That’s what I’m about – Making an ethical incentive: money for art, liberty for people.