User-Created-Content: Supporting a Participative Information Society

Abstract:     
This study takes place in the context of the i2010 mid-term review. Its particular focus on the use rperspective on the one hand and the potential for User-Created Content to support creation and innovation on the other hand has made it necessary for the European Commission to launch a prospective study on the roll-out of UCC and its economic, social, technical and legal challenges.

User Created Content as such is not a new phenomenon. Content generated by individuals or groups of individuals already exists as leaflets, brochures and other forms of paper output. Similarly, the possibilities for users to access radio and/or television services have been made possible by both technological developments and regulation. Several member states introduced community media, either with a traditional broadcasting format or by using an open/direct access model such as the "offenere Kanäle" in Germany.

The differences lies in the scale, economic potential and impact on traditional supply chains of modern user created content. The creation of new networks, in particular the introduction of the Internet, has created new opportunities for users to create, but more importantly, to distribute content.

Number of Pages in PDF File: 303

Accepted Paper Series