Cooperation cannot take place with non-cooperating partners. And trust again supports Cooperation. This is a perfect example of a positive-feedback cycle that supports itself. This understanding could indeed trigger a trend towards more Cooperation in our world, not only within the Internet. At the bottom of that trend would not be ethics or legislation but Egoism.
Egoism is derived from the instinct of self-preservation and therefore is a strong force.
Because I want to live in a more cooperative world. Because I want my children to live in a more cooperative world. Because I feel some pride to contribute to the process of making this a better world. Cooperation is the ultimate form of Egoism.