According to a post by Zachary M. Seward over at the Nieman Journalism Lab blog it appears that Google is working on an extension to its Google Checkout payment platform that is aimed at bring a new micropayment system to the web – and particularly to the newspaper industry.
In an eight page response to the Newspaper Association of America’s request for paid content proposals Google outlines its “vision of a premium content ecosystem” that would include subscriptions across multiple news sites, syndication on third-party sites, accessibility to search, and various payment options for individual pieces of content. As stated in the documents:
Google believes that an open web benefits all users and publishers. However, “open” need not mean free. We believe that content on the Internet can thrive supported by multiple business models — including content available only via subscription.
At this point Google describes the new e-commerce option as “in production” and “currently in the early planning stages”. Isn’t it nice to see companies get past their differences and come together in the heart warming embrace of making money.
hat tip to @mathewi on Twitter
