Commons-based peer production

Commons-based peer production (CBPP) is a term coined by Harvard Law School professor Yochai Benkler. It describes a model of socio-economic production in which large numbers of people work cooperatively; usually over the Internet. Commons-based projects generally have less rigid hierarchical structures than those under more traditional business models.

One of the major characteristics of commons-based peer production is that participation is not necessarily driven by direct financial incentives. Often—but not always—commons-based projects are designed without a need for financial compensation for contributors. For example, sharing STL files for 3D-printable objects freely on the Internet enables anyone with a 3-D printer to digitally replicate the object, potentially reducing costs for users who own a 3D printer.

Related concepts include co-production, crowdsourcing, and collaborative media production..