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IBM Files DVD Spam Patent Application

Posted by Zonk on from the truly-value-added-content dept.

An anonymous reader writes "Mark Wilson of Gizmodo.com reports that IBM is applying for a patent for DVDs that contain or download 'on demand' commercials that cannot be skipped. Consumers would be able to purchase these DVDs at a lower price than regular DVDs and pay extra to enjoy their purchase ad-free without having to buy a second DVD. Perhaps this is part of the massive shift in advertising that IBM predicts."

2 of 170 comments (clear)

  1. Discounted?! by Seumas · · Score: 3, Interesting

    Setting aside the fact that what this will really wind up with is not a discounted ad-supported DVD, but a $30 ad-supported DVD and an *INCREASED* $35 or $40 commercial-free DVD -- why would I want to pay for something that has ANY ads?

    If you're going to cram it full of advertising, why aren't you giving it to me for FREE? Making me PAY for it to come with advertising is a good way to convince me to go get it sans-advertising entirely free online.

  2. Specifying "DVD" seems foolish by iainl · · Score: 3, Interesting

    If I remember Patent 101 correctly, your patent is specifically limited to the claims you make.

    So this one only covers Digital Versatile Discs. Not HD-DVD, not BluRay, not any theoretical third HD media format.

    Hands up, everyone who wants to go out and buy a whole new DVD player, because you don't already have one in the house? Really?

    --
    "I Know You Are But What Am I?"