The nature of such markets is still evolving, which complicates development of sustainable business models.
In contrast, Shapiro and Varian (1999)[2] point out that historical leaders in information markets, such as newspapers and encyclopedias are at risk of losing their positions as new technology greatly reduces the cost of creating and distributing information.
In describing the transition from traditional to information markets, Simard (2005)[3] used a metaphor of autonomous providers and users exchanging information in place of sellers and buyers trading goods and services, respectively.
Although Web-enabled information markets resemble the frontier-style "old west", Sparr (2001)[6] states that governments will eventually find ways to step in with standards, property rights, and regulations, as all economic activity ultimately depends on order.
Traded are all sort of software applications and of content (from blogs via images, films and games up to scientific articles and patents).