5. Conclusion

In conclusion, crowdsourcing is a practice now widely used on the Internet, and one that can be highly effective when the intended purpose is laudable. The legitimacy of sites such as Wikipedia is less and less contested. Crowdsourcing puts every Internet user on an equal footing in terms of his or her abilities, and distinguishes the best talents, with financial gains, but above all with the recognition of a community, which is sometimes its primary motivation. This way of rewarding the best could appear to be the ideal image of a perfect meritocracy. However, when used for purely commercial purposes, crowdsourcing can lead to abuses that require particular attention. Unscrupulous companies have seen it as an easy way to make money by reselling work done almost free of charge by a community of Internet users. This practice is tending to disappear, not because of any regulation, but thanks...