And Batman isn't alone - now everyone can do it. For example, Roo'd is a far-future science fiction novel released for free, online, under a Creative Commons license that allows anyone to modify or distribute it in any non-commercial way. As a result, Roo'd was the first modern novel added to the Apple iPhone eBook repository - generating 12,000 downloads a month - and has spawned massive user feedback and readership leading to a paperback publication deal with Amazon.

What else can this model of online authorship do? It's time to find out - the next step is to let this content spawn out to other mediums; comic books, movies, TV series, cellphone content, games, and more. Fans love Roo'd, the book - now it's time to let them turn it into a property.

Here are the rules:

1) Anyone in the world can submit a 10-page, CC-licensed script derived from Roo'd for one of five categories: 1) movie, 2) graphic novel, 3) TV/Web series, 4) video game, or 5) other. In the case of longer-form mediums, like movies, the script should represent the opening 10 minutes of the movie. For a graphic novel it could be the first ten pages. In the case of shorter formats, like Web series, the script should represent the Pilot episode, or for games, a 3-5 minute trailer.

2) To enter, writers simply make a free account on Zhura.com, which provides the most advanced online media and script writing software available. Writing teams can form online groups and have a dedicated forum to discuss the novel or post questions.

3) Participants' scripts are readable by both members and non-members. Senior editors (such as Josh, the original author, produced Hollywood script writers, and readers from top agencies) will be on hand to participate in the commenting process and to act as story editors.

4) Via a voting system, the top 5 entries in each category will be selected by everyone on the Internet over the course of 8 weeks.

5) The top 5 in each category are read by a panel of leaders in the field. These panelists decide on a 1st, 2nd, and 3rd place for each category with cash awards for the winners.

Then the exciting part begins. Beyond a cash prize, the winners become available for direct contract by anyone who wants to produce a full script based on their entry, and their work is available under favorable terms predefined in the submission process. No legal haggling, no endless slush piles - just the immediate production availability of proven talent and material to whatever medium it suits best. And all for a clamoring audience of millions across the Internet who will follow the property's every move.

What's this mean for me?

The Creative Commons Script Contest highlights the power of a new generation of media creation and is the first of its kind to prove that new collaborative tools, new licensing mechanisms, and a new relationship between writers and producers can expand the creative landscape and make better content in an entirely new way.

This means new authors whose work has created an audience suddenly have direct access to production studios. And because the original author of Roo'd is making the property available for commercial use, producers can use it for extremely cheap under an agreement predefined for the contest.

For writers, the "write it, send it, and pray" system no longer applies. Using new online tools and the global creative community they can write, edit, and revise with live feedback from their potential consumers in real time - something not possible even a year ago. The CC license means an incredible ability to apply their content to new mediums, with all the artistic flexibility and earning potential that that entails.

• Real time feedback from a global creative community of like-minded writers,
• New collaborative tools resulting in faster, more flexible content creation,
• Write for anything from machima to multiplexes, with complete artistic freedom,
• Have your work commented on by some of the biggest names in Hollywood,
• Get contracted to write a major media production in whatever medium you prefer,
• No legal fees, so your work gets produced instead of killed by haggling,
• Exposure whether you win or not; the CC license means your work can go viral.

• Direct access to a global talent pool of writers and collaboratively created content,
• Inexpensive, proven content under an amazingly flexible license,
• Fans create free spinoffs to drive the brand and increase its value across mediums,
• No endless legal battles - all contracts are signed when the property is submitted,
• Let fans prove new mediums, market the property, and write scripts for you,
• Launch a property as a movie, graphic novel, video game, TV series, or anything else fans decide they want to see, whenever they want it, or all at once!
• You get to be first. :)