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New Patent on TV Forces You to Watch Ads

WebHostingGuy writes "A patent application filed with the U.S. Patent and Trademark Office says researchers of the Netherland-based consumer electronics company have created a technology that could let broadcasters freeze a channel during a commercial, so viewers wouldn't be able to avoid it. Philips acknowledged that this technology might not sit well with consumers and suggested in its patent filing that consumers be allowed to avoid the feature if they paid broadcasters a fee."

8 of 470 comments (clear)

  1. I don't mind the ads... by gowen · · Score: 5, Funny

    The thing I don't like on TV are all the repeats... (or "dupes" as they're known in the trade).

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    Athletic Scholarships to universities make as much sense as academic scholarships to sports teams.
  2. Improvement? by denissmith · · Score: 4, Funny

    Yes, I would much rather pay a fee to be allowed to change channels. What makes them think that we will be happy with either option?

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    I have nothing to hide. So, why are you spying on me?
  3. Good job. by CosmeticLobotamy · · Score: 5, Funny

    Someone finally found a way to make to make people go back to reading books. Good work, guys.

    I'm off to patent magazines that refuse to let you turn the page for 30 seconds if there's an ad on it.

  4. 30 seconds into the future... by Turbofish · · Score: 5, Funny


    1) Forbid viewers from switching channels during commercials.
    2) Forbid viewers from turning off their TV's.
    3) Get promoted to CEO of Network 23.
    4) Rule the World!


    Bwahhhahahahahaha!

  5. That's nothing by Kj0n · · Score: 4, Funny

    New Patent on Slashdot Forces You to Read Articles Twice (if you're lucky).

  6. Re:Wow, this technology works! by mikael · · Score: 4, Funny

    "Because a law will come and require this kind of tech in all sets"

    Then they better also ensure that the power supply for the TV and set-top box are hardwired into the wall, and that the mains fusebox is protected by a combination code. Otherwise, some knucklehead customers are going to switch off the entire setup at whatever access point is available, just out of principle.

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  7. Re:Wow, this technology works! by guitaristx · · Score: 5, Funny

    Then what the hell am I paying $80/month for?

    Don't back-talk your pimp!

    *smack*

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    I pity the foo that isn't metasyntactic
  8. Slashdot patent by Hoi+Polloi · · Score: 4, Funny

    I hear that Slashdot has a patent on a technology that forces you to read the same articles over and over again.

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