Businesses can communicate more efficiently with their employees, suppliers and customers when everyone uses open source software. Even for the trading of intellectual property, there is no pressing need for investing in expensive copyright protection systems. While these techniques remain profitable, the weakening of intellectual property within the Net can be tolerated. Increasingly, information exists as both commodity and gift - and as hybrids of the two. No longer always fixed in physical objects, the social distinction between proprietary and free information becomes contingent.
Free speech is both free trade and free gifts.
Making Media A ccording to current copyright legislation, this new form of free speech is simply a new type of theft. Information must always remain a commodity within cyberspace. Yet, within the Net, free speech is evolving into the fluid process of 'interactive creativity'. Information exists as commodities, gifts and hybrids of the two. Yet, the letter of law criminalises the on-line activities of almost every Net user.