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Perhaps a simple solution would be to follow the shareware
pattern.
The author of a piece of text can append a brief statement
explaining any ownership claims and giving permission to
distribute the piece in toto, with the statement intact
and at no charge except the reasonable cost of the media
(which, from their usual pricing policy, is probably what
Walnut Creek CD-ROM are doing in this case).
The author can include in this statement a solicitation for a
voluntary payment and offer to supply additional material or
support.
Hopefully, someone will quickly come up with an abbreviated or
graphical means to keeping down the proportion of FAQ files
filled with nonsense like this:
MINE:cp-a:$5.00:BVPICS = The above email message is copyright 1994
by Alun Whittaker, all rights reserved.
It may be copied and distributed in its
complete form including this message and
no charge made other than reasonable cost
of media. If you send me $5.00, I'll send
you a copy printed on black velvet with
a picture of me and my cats on it.
