Space News has reported that the European Commission has okayed free access to Sentinel data. This follows a recent European Space Agency-commissioned study that concluded that data from the Sentinel satellites should be public sector information. (The study cites Landsat as an example).
+ Taking a Cue from U.S. Landsat and GPS Programs, Europe Permits Free Access to Sentinel Earth Observation Data via Space News
+ GMES and Data, like Geese and Golden Eggs via ESA
+ A Study on the Economic Benefits of a Free and Open Data Policy for Sentinel Satellite Data (PDF)