Here are somemore ideas to mull over ...

1. Any user must be registered and logged into the site for views or downloads to be payable. This allows for easier tracking of individual activity and requires a valid account for the person to do anything on the site. It wouldn't eliminate bots, but it would greatly reduce them since most casual users aren't sauvy enough to know how to use one. People caught using a bot or other scam techinque would be immediately suspended and block from rejoining (as best as possible) and forfeit any payable funds.

2. Graphics and videos would be paid on views that recieve a comment or rating. I know, I know, not to many people provide comments and ratings but they are more common on images and videos simply because of the instant gratification that they provide. Most downloads the person will wait until they have had a chance to review it before commenting or rating and by that time they most likely will not return to the site do it. We are all just plain lazy when it comes to that ... myself include.

3. Downloadable items are paid on the download, not the view. See requirement in number one for additional conditions.

4. Tutorials should be downloadable to qualify under section number 3 and number 1.

5. Anyone caught with multiple logons will be immediately suspended, blocked from returning, and forfeit any payable funds.

6. A moderator group of 3 individuals plus the 2 main admin would be established to monitor uploads for questionable items and potential copyright violations. These off site individuals would receive double download compensation for the additional work they would have to do. A majority vote on all questionable content would be required for an item to be removed. Three out of five strikes and your out. Continual violation and your account would be suspended and blocked with forfeit of any payable funds.

Ebay is a little different from this place. Ebay is more like a classified listing where you are dealing one on one with a buyer with ebay taking a cut for providing a 'listing" service just like the newspaper does. Your local paper doesn't collect tax IDs either. People who have eBay stores are required to collect sales tax for states that require it and they do have to file their income just like anyone else does. As for garage sale ... many states in the US require you to get a permit to have a garage sale and many require you to collect sales tax on items sold. That these regulations are not enforced strickly does not mean they don't exist and could be enforced if a city choose to. Also, many forms of SSI are taxable, I know I have a friend who was collecting and paid taxes on her payments every month just like regular income. Unemployment is taxable too. You can't get away from it except under extremely specialized situations here in the US.