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What about the distinction between personal (google reader) and commercial usage. I think that was the point the author was trying to make. Individuals aren't going to pay thousands in lincense fees for their personal reading. But there are benfits for AFP to give away (snippets only) for free - they can monetize the traffic, drive brand awareness etc. But I guess they didn't want the traffic.

[marbletiles]

Wire news is extravagantly expensive. The amount they could make from ads on feeds is going to be a pittance in comparison.

Sure, once the big cash cow newspapers die they'll have to have a rethink, but there are going to be bigger problems with news creation when that day actually arrives.