Digital content business models

This thesis is aimed at digital content business models. Business model is a broad area comprised of variety of activities and strategies in order to fulfill the business target. In the past two decades user's requirements to digital media underwent many dramatic changes. Business model that would be broadly accepted as profit-making model still has not been discovered. Given that this thesis can serve as current business models and their influential factors overview. One part of the business models description is devoted to historical business models that gave the foundation to business models as we know them at present. Business models are categorized according to fundamental operating principles. These fundamental operating principles are utilized in so-called pillars of business models that symbolize the main characteristics of model and that are how the profit is generated. Described business modes always comprised of main pillar of business model -- main profit generator -- and another additional pillar(s) that helps to complete the unique business model characteristic. Next part of this thesis deals with initiators of new business model and technology they are depended to. Surprisingly the new business models initiators in history were not a commercials subject but the most innovative ideas came from highly profiled communities of IT enthusiasts. The final part of this work brings the basic information about the current status in profitable business model development as well as it offers manager's opinions regarded to the current and future business models development. This part includes description of most common problems in the process of changing company into digital company type.