[dazmax]

The value they're providing is to the forum owner, who has reduced spam-handling workload.

So the forum is providing you value, you are providing Google value, and Google is providing the forum value.

[kuschku]

Sure, but if the public has to provide Google with free data, we should make laws requiring Google to open source the entire ReCaptcha training set.

[operon]

Why?

[kuschku]

Anything created with free work should be free in return. Anything created by the public should be available for the public.

[sangnoir]

To use an in-thread example - online forums are created with free work. Should all forums be forced to make their archives available for free download as well?

[kuschku]

For free download? No. Should I be able to scrape them? Yes.

[stolsvik]

Yes.

[Trundle]

It's not free though. You get access to the forum.

If it was free then you wouldn't be doing them!