Electronic trading in on-line delivered content

Electronically traded On-line Delivered Content (ODC) is data, information, and knowledge traded on the Internet or through other on-line means. ODC includes on-line newspapers, magazines, music, education, searchable databases, consulting, and eventually expertise ideas. This paper outlines the growing importance of ODC. It then attempts to position electronic trading in ODC within the wider field of Electronic Commerce. It identifies its distinctive characteristics compared to other forms of trading content as well as electronic trading in physical goods. Important ODC peculiarities are identified and analyzed. Based on the case of a medium-sized specialized publisher, the benefits and problems of moving into the business of electronic trading in ODC are discussed. The paper concludes with an outlook and agenda for further research.