Why should i pay for registering a domain name?

[Anthony]

While "the internet" doesn't belong to anyone, the modems, servers, routers, fiber-optic lines, and the technology required to make it work still has to get paid for. Some of that belongs to companies, some of it to the non-profit organizations that run the internet and all its associated systems (the web, the email system, the FTP systems, there are MANY) - and all the people that work there need to have somewhere to work & to get paid - so there's technology, buildings, rents and thousands of other expenses that have to be paid for.

Your question is kind of like asking: "if streets don't belong to anyone why do I have to pay taxes?" Um..because although they don't technically belong to a single person or company they still have to be installed, managed and maintained.

It's a small price to pay so the whole SYSTEM can function for everyone's betterment.

A