April 20, 2006
Philips Patents DRM To Stop Commercial Skipping, Changing Channels
According to DesignTechnica,
Philips has patented a “technology … [that] would prevent users from
changing channels to avoid watching television commercials as well as
prevent viewers from fast-forwarding through recorded advertisements.”
Why would Philips invent such an absurd restriction when it will
never be voluntarily licensed? After all, in a competitive market,
technology companies who adopt Philips’ patented system will be shunned
by customers; no one wants a device that says, “Now improved — blocks
changing channels during commercials!”
Perhaps Philips believes that, at some point in the future,
Hollywood might push for a government mandate forcing technology
companies to incorporate anti-skipping technology. If that happens,
this patent could be the federally-set standard, and tech creators
would have to pay Philips every time they want to sell a new device.
Instead of wasting its time with this anti-user opportunism, Philips
should focus on building technologies that satisfy its customers.
(Cross posted at Deep Links)
Filed by Derek Slater at 9:51 pm under General news
I was curious when I first saw this too. Ever the optimist, I have an interesting scenario:
The patent gives them the power to prevent others from using the invention. It doesn’t mean necessarily that they have to market it themselves, right? (Not sure this would be a scenario which would justify compulsory license). Can you imagine if Philips got this patent to prevent such things from every coming to market?
Ok, maybe not Philips, but it would be an interesting way for the EFF to prevent some of these things from happening, at least for awhile…
I have put my thoughts on your posting and DesignTechnica’s on my blog here:
Philips Wants to Patent Must-See-Ads
http://www.bambismusings.com/?p=365
Derek thank you for being ever vigilant about so many things! Between you, Cory and the EFF in general, we as citizens, and consumers of course, have no reason not to be aware of how these things weave their web and that we can’t stand by idly and just let it happen.