Forward Research Introduces the Universal Data License: A Framework for Content Monetization

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Today we are excited to introduce the beta release of the Universal Data License (UDL), a framework for content monetization and remixing on the permaweb.

This license allows all creators to set their own terms and gives developers access to a huge library of open data. 👇🧵

Content monetization today is extremely constrained. With the UDL, entirely new internet economies are now open.

We at Forward Research see this as a major shift in the internet that favors creators, consumers and developers over major corporations.

Today, creators have to agree to the terms of the platforms they create for. Tomorrow, they set the terms and the platforms that use their content must agree to them.

Any creator currently making content for , , , can easily upload their content to the permaweb to earn new revenue streams as developers use content to build new apps. This eliminates the 'cold start' problem where new apps must start from zero.

The UDL allows content creators to specify programmable parameters for aspects of monetization such as length of the license term, currency used for payments, and the licensing fee.

This is the initial beta release of the Universal Data License, and is being introduced today to gather comments and feedback from the community. You can read the entire text of the Universal Data License here:

For a detailed explanation on the purpose and intent of the Universal Data License, read the accompanying blog post here:

Finally, read the accompanying ArWiki article for a technical overview of how the Universal Data License can be implemented here:

The lead image for this article was generated by HackerNoon's AI Image Generator via the prompt “Making Money on the internet.”