I can’t fault the AP for attempting to defend their intellectual property and business process. But this approach sure doesn’t sound like it’s going to work.

Eric Schmidt, CEO of Google, recently talked about the ongoing destruction of the news and reporting business wrought by the internet, and ironically, Google, too. “Somebody” really does have to pay for reporters, communication links, news distribution, etc.

You can’t make money if you give news away for free on the web, and you can’t make money if other people post your news on the web without paying for it.

It’s a tough spot. And it’s not unique to AP, every news organization has the same problem.

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