Abstract: A method for a service provider to provide copies to a user of electronic files establishes a user's credit account for the service provider to receive advance payments from the user, accepts payments into the credit account from the user, and provides a first catalogue of payment electronic files, a second catalogue of tipping electronic files and a third catalogue of free electronic files, to which access is to be provided. When a request is received from the user for one of the electronic files, it is confirmed that the user's credit account is in credit by a predetermined minimum amount. Where the requested electronic file is in the first catalogue, it then accepts transfer of monetary value from the user's credit account to an account of the service provider and provides a copy of the requested file.