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Time Warner Cable Patents Method For Disabling Fast-Forward Function On DVRs

Posted by samzenpus on from the no-skip-for-you dept.

antdude writes in with a story about a patent that won't have DVR users skipping for joy. "Time Warner Cable has won a U.S. patent for a method for disabling fast-forward and other trick mode functions on digital video recorders. The patent, which lists Time Warner Cable principal architect Charles Hasek as the inventor, details how the nation's second largest cable MSO may be able prevent viewers from skipping TV commercials contained in programs stored on physical DVRs it deploys in subscriber homes, network-based DVRs and even recording devices subscribers purchase at retail outlets."

3 of 298 comments (clear)

  1. Next by GrahamCox · · Score: 5, Funny

    Next they'll be patenting eye clamps so you can't shut your eyes and a tongue strap so you can't go "la la la la la" during the commercials.

    Peole.Do.Not.Want.To.Watch.Ads.

    Find another way to make money, you morons.

  2. Re:Waiiiiit a minute... Huh? by Anonymous Coward · · Score: 3, Funny

    My thinking was "Time Warner Patents Method Of Quickly Losing Cable Subscribers."

    But I think we're on the same idea

  3. Driving away customers 101 by kawabago · · Score: 4, Funny

    No wonder their business model is in trouble. I think I'll patent not letting customers leave the restaurant until they've eaten their vegetables.