However, most information available on the web, even if it isn't available for free somewhere else, is too expensive. Even this depends on technology like E-cash, which still appears to be vapourware. I would argue that this is the only model of the Web that is sustainable. The problem with information as a commodity is in determining its value. Information regarding chemicals used in petroleum refining, has absolutely no value to me, regardless of the value Dupont may place on it.
Information is only useful in the presence of other information.
Although those chemicals may not be useful to me directly, I can sell them. However, unless I understand information, it is totally useless. The point is that only I can determine the value of information, and my first assumption is that I can usually get information for free somewhere else. If they wanted somebody to find it, they would announce their site on InterNIC, Yahoo, and possibly GNU or the WWWWorm. People looking for that information would look in the indices, then check out the Web site.