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Apple Seeks Patent On Operating System Advertising

Posted by kdawson on from the go-ahead-be-evil dept.

patentpundit writes "On April 18, 2008, Apple Computer applied for a patent relating to an 'invention' that allows for showing advertisements within an operating system. The first named inventor on the patent application is none other than Steve Jobs. The patent application published and became available for public inspection on October 22, 2009. If implemented, the invention would make it possible for advertisements to be displayed on a variety of devices, including desktop computers, cell phones, PDAs, and more. In one alarming aspect, the device could be disabled while the advertisements run, thereby forcing users to let the advertisement run its course before the system would unlock and allow further use. In an even more invasive scenario, explained in the patent application, the user could be required to do something, such as click to continue, in order to verify that they are actively watching the advertisement and haven't simply walked away while the ad runs. Whether Apple would implement such an invention is unknown, but it is possible that they think there are others out there who might want to implement such invasive advertising. It is possible Apple wanted to get ahead of the curve and file this patent so that if any company is silly enough to engage in Big Brother advertising, then Apple will get a royalty. I sure hope this is not the future of advertising."

9 of 342 comments (clear)

  1. I sure hope they get this patent by AtomicDevice · · Score: 4, Insightful

    I really hope they get the patent because then nobody else will be able to do it.

    In other news, I use linux?

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    Ze Atomic Device! It iz Ztolen!
    1. Re:I sure hope they get this patent by geekmansworld · · Score: 5, Insightful

      Does anyone in this thread really think that Apple, a company utterly obsessed with aesthetics, good design, and usability, would put ads in their operating system? Not likely. Remember when Apple switched to Intel chips? There were no "Intel Inside" stickers for Macs.

      I think the poster and the first commenter have it right: this is a protection measure to make sure that any company stupid enough to try and set this precedent (advertising in the OS) will have to pay through the nose to Apple. It is in fact, the quintessential poison pill.

    2. Re:I sure hope they get this patent by truthsearch · · Score: 5, Insightful

      Does anyone in this thread really think that Apple, a company utterly obsessed with aesthetics, good design, and usability, would put ads in their operating system?

      Yes, I think they would do it on iPods. I imagine in their talks with record labels they discussed many revenue streams. One could easily be free music downloads if you're willing to watch ads on your iPod.

      They could also offer two revenue models for iPhone app publishers: the current cash model or advertising. The OS could block use of the app until the ad is run.

      I don't imagine this coming to desktops, but it's definitely a possibility for their more specialized operating systems.

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      Developers: We can use your help.
    3. Re:I sure hope they get this patent by Achromatic1978 · · Score: 4, Insightful

      I don't see the problem. If they're just getting the patent in order to profit off of other companies who use these ideas, what's the problem?

      Ahhh! I see...! Patent trolling, usually nasty, evil and sleazy, is quite alright if it's Apple that is doing it...!

      Gotcha.

  2. I dare them! by jhfry · · Score: 4, Insightful

    So long as there is a Free (not $$$ free) alternative, all they will do is push users to it.

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    Sometimes the best solution is to stop wasting time looking for an easy solution.
  3. I claim prior art. by brennanw · · Score: 4, Insightful

    http://www.ubersoft.net/comic/hd/2000/12/next-logical-step

    http://www.ubersoft.net/comic/hd/2000/12/next-logical-step-ii

    Apple, if you really want to go forward with this please have your lawyers shower me with cash.

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    Eviscerati.Org: All Hail the Eviscerati
  4. Re:Good by camperslo · · Score: 5, Insightful

    Confine advertising to OSX, sounds good to me.

    It would be funny if the ads kicked in when OS X detected installation on non-Apple hardware.

  5. In other words... by Experiment+626 · · Score: 4, Insightful

    It is possible Apple wanted to get ahead of the curve and file this patent so that if any company is silly enough to engage in Big Brother advertising, then Apple will get a royalty.

    So, best case scenario, Apple is a patent troll?

  6. Re:There are other OS's by jayspec462 · · Score: 5, Insightful

    I am an Apple fanboi, born and bred in the soft, comforting womb of the Reality Distortion Field. There is not a single computer or device in my house that was not Designed by Apple in California.

    If Apple were to do this on my Mac, or my iPhone, or my iWhateverTheHellElse, I would jump ship like Neo leaving the Matrix*. Apple fanbois are Apple fanbois because we prize elegance and design. Implementing this in OS X would shit on it.

    (* Just like in that ONE AND ONLY ONE movie, that had ABSOLUTELY NO sequels... See how good at distorting reality I am?)

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    $comment =~ s/($verb)\s+($noun)/IN SOVIET RUSSIA, $2 $1s YOU!/g;