Abstract

The evolution of information from a communal resource to a commercially valuable commodity reflects profound technological, social, and economic transformations. This paper traces the history of information commercialization, highlighting key milestones including the advent of writing, the printing press, mass media, and the digital revolution. It explores the mechanisms through which information acquired economic value and examines contemporary trends where personal and corporate data drive global markets. Examples from historical records, media industries, and digital platforms illustrate the pervasive influence of commercialized information.