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In the early days yes. When Tim Berners Lee created the web years later it was so they could share info at CERN.
Later again the www consortium began sorting out protocols and standards the emphasis became global. The free web was born.
The idea behind it being that a level playing should be for everyone and not controlled by a few corporations.

I should read up on that history, interesting stuff and I have forgotten many details of the story! Thanks! :)

My pleasure. This internet all began with Arpanet. The US Military fire control network to launch ICBM's.