Microsoft Patent Monetizes Your TV Remote

theodp writes "Microsoft, reports GeekWire, is seeking a patent on monetizing the buttons of your TV remote. In its application for a patent on 'Control-based Content Pricing,' Microsoft explains how one can jack up the cable bill of those who dare fast-forward past a diaper commercial or replay a sports highlight. From the patent application: 'If a user initiates a navigation control input to advance past (e.g., skip over) an advertisement, the cost of a requested on-demand movie may be increased. Similarly, if a user initiates a replay of a sporting event, the user may be charged for the replay control input and for each subsequent view control input.'"

Comments

too late

[alphatel]

I skipped this article.

let's be consistent

[tverbeek]

Does the patent cover giving the customer a refund if she pushes the "off" button?

Re:Fortunately I don't habe a TV remote

[Anonymous Coward]

Obligatory Onion
http://www.theonion.com/articles/area-man-constantly-mentioning-he-doesnt-own-a-tel,429/

Re:Pointless, will not work without a monopoly

[fish waffle]

why would anyone use a service that forced them to pay to skip ads

You mean like slashdot subscriptions?

Alternate motive?

[kpainter]

I wonder if they plan use this to charge people for skipping Windows 8?

next thing you know...

[s0litaire]

...we'll start getting "Drive by Rewinds"

A bunch of geeks high on red-bull and cheesy puffs in a 4x4 armed to the teeth with universal remote controls.
Driving the suburbs, Sega beats blaring from their iPhones, aiming their remo's at the houses pressing the rewind button.

Costing the poor householder $$$ in MS rewind fees...