Apple Seeks Patent On Operating System Advertising

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Apple Seeks Patent On Operating System Advertising

Posted by kdawson on Friday October 23, 2009 @05:01AM 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."

26 of 342 comments (clear)

I sure hope they get this patent by AtomicDevice · 2009-10-23 05:03 · 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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1. Re:I sure hope they get this patent by geekmansworld · 2009-10-23 05:18 · 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 camperslo · 2009-10-23 05:20 · Score: 3, Interesting
  
  This reminds me of the "free computers" of 1990 or so, with some of the screen space taken up by extra ads. I think that was just when running the browser though.
  The same users that went for those "discounted" PCs with an AOL contract obligation might opt for other cheaper hardware with an ad hook-in subsidizing the purchase.
  27" iMacs turning into billboards... hmmmm...
3. Re:I sure hope they get this patent by icannotthinkofaname · 2009-10-23 05:39 · Score: 3, Interesting
  
  Yeah, stupid microsoft! what were they thinking!?
  oh wait.. this is apple? Wow, this may actually be the final straw that made Linux win against Apple's Mac OS X.
  Fixed that for you. It's still a long way off from competing with Windows, in terms of market share, regardless of how awesome it is.
  
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  Let q be a radix > 1. I am in ur base-q, killing 10 d00ds.
4. Re:I sure hope they get this patent by truthsearch · 2009-10-23 05:45 · 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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5. Re:I sure hope they get this patent by calzones · 2009-10-23 05:56 · Score: 4, Interesting
  
  I think the whole point of the patent is so Apple can profit share should any apps choose to run ads on their devices. For example, if you install an app on your iphone that pops up ads and behaves in any modal way that makes the iphone inoperable, Apple might not like that. In addition to any TOU and contractual obligations imposed on app developers, this gives Apple a patent should an app designer manage to circumvent the TOU in any way.
  
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  Asking people to think is like asking them to buy you a new car
6. Re:I sure hope they get this patent by Achromatic1978 · 2009-10-23 06:14 · 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.
I dare them! by jhfry · 2009-10-23 05:03 · 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.
Logos by ewoods · 2009-10-23 05:03 · Score: 3, Interesting

Doesn't putting a logo or a brand name on a product constitute advertising? That's been done all over operating systems since the beginning of time - prior art?
1. Re:Logos by amicusNYCL · 2009-10-23 05:13 · Score: 3, Informative
  
  Branding isn't the same as advertising. For one, advertising involves showing ads for products that don't necessarily have anything to do with the one you're using. The tag on the back of your shirt that says who made the shirt isn't an advertisement for that brand, it's just identifying who made the shirt. The design on the front of the shirt, however, is an ad.
  
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  "Our two-party system is like a bowl of shit looking at itself in a mirror." - Lewis Black
There are other OS's by xs650 · 2009-10-23 05:04 · Score: 3, Interesting

Without collusion that would drive buyers to other OSs.

Not even MS would do something that doucebaggery on their own
1. Re:There are other OS's by jayspec462 · 2009-10-23 06:23 · 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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Very impatiantly waiting... by windex82 · 2009-10-23 05:06 · Score: 5, Funny

.... for an explanation from the apple fan boys why this is so awesome!
1. Re:Very impatiantly waiting... by jo_ham · 2009-10-23 06:07 · Score: 3, Insightful
  
  It's not, but since when is the world entirely black and white?
  Just look at Michael Jackson.
Prior Art? by Vandil+X · 2009-10-23 05:07 · Score: 4, Informative

I recall reading about "free" PCs running Windows 98 that required the user to click and view ads every 30-60 minutes of computer use.

There were also plenty of "free" dial-up ISPs that required you to click their advertising banner every so often for the connection to stay alive.

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Up, Up, Down, Down, Left, Right, Left, Right, B, A, START
1. Re:Prior Art? by Trahloc · 2009-10-23 05:26 · Score: 5, Informative
  
  I use to work for them. FreePC, loved the job, no one bitched about getting a free computer. But you didn't have to click on ads, you just had your screen permanently filled with them on the bottom and right side. The remaining area was left for you. They eventually got bought out by emachines and then it became a horrible place to work.
  
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  The Goal: A long simple life filled with many complex toys.
Re:Troll protection by Anonymous Coward · 2009-10-23 05:11 · Score: 5, Interesting

If you don't intend to put ads in your OS, why would you need to protect yourself from someone else patenting it? No, this is a patent to preempt "free" advertising-supported commercial operating systems by competitors, namely Google.
I claim prior art. by brennanw · 2009-10-23 05:12 · 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
Big Brother advertising... by INeededALogin · 2009-10-23 05:16 · Score: 3, Insightful

company is silly enough to engage in Big Brother advertising

The Big Brother metaphor has finally been dealt its final blow. Big Brother advertising is propaganda. I think a better term for this new patent would be "Jerk Advertising"
Prior Art: by iYk6 · 2009-10-23 05:20 · Score: 4, Funny

There is prior art from 2002: http://www.bbspot.com/News/2002/10/bsod_ads.html
I bet Google is pretty ticked off ... by LaughingCoder · 2009-10-23 05:21 · Score: 4, Interesting

After all, they are the advertising kings and now they may have to pay royalties to Apple for the right to embed ads in their own Android OS. How embarrassing for them.

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The more you regulate a company, the worse its products become.
Re:Apple... maybe rotten to the (dual) core by Dog-Cow · 2009-10-23 05:35 · Score: 3, Informative

and makes it nearly impossible to install the OS (or first boot) a mac without buying .mac.
I have to experience with the former statements, but this is utter crap. I have installed 2 different releases on my Macbook, and never once did I see more than an ad for .Mac during the install. I was never prompted to create an account. It certainly never hindered my ability to book my machine.
Re:Good by camperslo · 2009-10-23 05:37 · 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.
In other words... by Experiment+626 · 2009-10-23 05:37 · 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?
No ads, no IP by tepples · 2009-10-23 05:56 · Score: 3, Interesting

I will pay a significant amount of money (at least a few hundred dollars)
Per month? Because eventually, a home Internet connection that's compatible with an operating system that doesn't display ads will cost that much. Consider Trusted Network Connect, which allows a DHCP server to quarantine traffic until the the ISP can verify that your computer is running specific proprietary software. No ads, no IP address outside 169.254.0.0/16.
Re:Apple... maybe rotten to the (dual) core by dangitman · 2009-10-23 09:10 · Score: 3, Informative

You get the OS, and no 3rd party crap that has to be uninstalled as soon as you unbox it.
Not strictly true. There have been third-party apps, such as a version of Omnigraffle and various games that have shipped with Macs and MacOS. However, it's generally not crap, doesn't draw attention to itself through advertising or require removal, it just sits there dormant unless you decide to use it. Apple also puts trial versions of iWork on Macs, and if memory serves correctly, has also pre-installed trial versions of MS Office in the past (but I might be wrong about that one) and definitely shipped with Internet Explorer at one time.

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