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Philips Patents Technology to Force Ad Viewing

Posted by ryuzaki0 on from the pure-evil dept.

An anonymous reader writes "According to New Scientist, Philips has filed a patent for technology to force viewers to watch the ads in a program. Basically they plan to add extra flags to the Multimedia Home Platform that would stop controls from working until the ads are finished." From the article: "Philips' patent acknowledges that this may be 'greatly resented by viewers' who could initially think their equipment has gone wrong. So it suggests the new system could throw up a warning on screen when it is enforcing advert viewing. The patent also suggests that the system could offer viewers the chance to pay a fee interactively to go back to skipping adverts."

10 of 823 comments (clear)

  1. Well... by StevenHenderson · · Score: 5, Funny
    Philips' patent acknowledges that this may be 'greatly resented by viewers'

    Hard to resent something you will never buy.

  2. next up? by Anonymous Coward · · Score: 5, Funny

    a tv that realizes you've gotten up to get a sandwich and replays the commercials when you return.

    MY GOD, THIS IS PROGRESS?!!?

  3. clockwork tv chair by (chubbstar) · · Score: 5, Funny

    the next step is to simply have metallic arms come out of your chair, pin your arms down, peel your eyeballs open, and moisturize those pupils for 3 minutes.

    --
    "when you fall in a bottomless pit you die of starvation."
  4. Re:OK fine by iotaborg · · Score: 5, Funny

    You clearly have not read the patent. There was something about chains, locks, and first born children in there.

  5. Re:Well look on the bright side... by product+byproduct · · Score: 5, Funny
    In summary:
    • Patents are wrong.
    • This technology is wrong.
    • Two wrongs make a right.
  6. No honey... by jfclavette · · Score: 5, Funny

    I'm not watching porn ! *Clicks button desperately*

  7. Another patent will prevent this by sgant · · Score: 5, Funny

    I don't think you get it. You're FORCED to watch the advertisements.

    Part of this system will be eye-instruments similar to the ones used in A Clockwork Orange that keep the lids of your eyes fully open and staring directly into the screen. There will be no way of skipping the ads nor averting your eyes away from the ads.

    Of course, for a small fee you can avoid all of this.

    --

    "Leo Fender was in a 'state of grace' when he designed the Stratocaster." -- Paul Reed Smith
  8. Text of On-Screen Warning by Anonymous Coward · · Score: 5, Funny
    So it suggests the new system could throw up a warning on screen when it is enforcing advert viewing.

    "Warning: Phillips electronics engineers are clueless asspirates. Their marketing weasels are worse. While you're watching this shit, they're busy thinking up the next stupid-ass idea."

    The patent also suggests that the system could offer viewers the chance to pay a fee interactively to go back to skipping adverts.

    Also known as extortion.
  9. Re:Well look on the bright side... by myowntrueself · · Score: 5, Funny

    Two wrongs make a right is like saying "two lefts make a right"
    They don't. Two lefts means you're going backwards.

    So what you are saying, and let me make absolutely certain that I understand your reasoning here, you are saying that *three* wrongs make a right?

    --
    In the free world the media isn't government run; the government is media run.
  10. Re:Still fine by me by Anonymous Coward · · Score: 5, Funny

    Are you Canadian by any chance?