Today, readers of leading Polish blogs might have been surprised to see a new welcome screen on one of their favourite websites: it announced that, beginning Dec. 14, 2009, access to this blog was no longer free of charge.

The new intro gave readers three options:

1. 5 PLN + VAT for 7-day access (approx. 1.25 EUR)
2. 9 PLN + VAT for full-month access (approx. 2.1 EUR)
3. leave the website

The whole thing, which is one big surprise for Polish users, is almost solved after readers make up their minds and make their decision known by clicking on either of the three buttons. A second screen appears then, thanking readers for… taking part in a special survey, and promising to post the results shortly. Rumour is that interactive agency Autentika is behind this.

But many people decided to leave the website before making any click, which led to negative comments on Polish microblogging websites such as Blip.

Despite the probable commercial aspect behind all of this, it's the first time when one institution managed to unite for action so many important and well-read bloggers (we have counted six of them).

Global Voices will monitor this interesting commercial/advertising case and publish the results of the survey, too, as soon as they appear.