First, I assume that “statistical information to consumers” is a typo for “statistical information about consumers.”

Second, more important to Wowio’s exchange than statistical information or the promise of free downloads are the ads that appear on the first page of every download. Without those ads, the statistical information wouldn’t mean much. Electronic Arts doesn’t care how many 18-to-34-year-olds read Wowio’s Art of War. EA cares how many of them saw EA’s ad. I don’t share your position on the ethics of that statistical tracking, but if I did, I’d say, “in exchange for ads embedded in the downloads and statistical information about those ads. The company also offers payouts to the creators.”

“Burn rate” is the other inaccuracy. I don’t know the exact terms of the deal Wowio has with its advertisers, and I haven’t seen any trustworthy report about the company’s profit or loss. It could be drowning in red ink– or it could be doing just fine, especially if its advertisers are paying it per download the way it’s paying its contributors. Some of Wowio’s sponsors have pretty deep pockets.

There are all kinds of reasons to keep profits a secret– if profits are too low, the numbers might draw advertisers away; if profits are too high, the numbers might leave some contributors dissatisfied with their cut.

I’d replace “the question remains as to how long Wowio can continue its burn rate” with “it’s uncertain whether Wowio is, or ever will be, profitable, and if not, how long it can survive.”