Google Patents Profit-Maximizing Dynamic Pricing

theodp writes "A newly-granted Google patent on Dynamic Pricing of Electronic Content describes how information gleaned from your search history and social networking activity can be used against you by providing tell-tale clues for your propensity to pay jacked-up prices to 'reconsume' electronic content, such as 'watching a video recording, reading an electronic book, playing a game, or listening to an audio recording.' The patent is illustrated with drawings showing how some individuals can be convinced to pay 4x what others will be charged for the same item. From the patent: 'According to one innovative aspect of the subject matter described by this specification, a system may use this information to tailor the price that is offered to the particular user to repurchase the particular item of electronic content. By not applying discounts for users that may, in relation to a typical user, be more inclined to repurchase a particular product, profits may increase.' Hey, wasn't this kind of dynamic pricing once considered evil?"

Comments

Re:Translation: "Milk Your Biggest Fans"

[clarkkent09]

Now there are some fan groups (not mentioning any names here), whose members would probably respond to this kind of abuse with a smile an a "Thank you sir, may I have another?!?"
 
Can the members of these unnamed fan groups please line up in front of Apple stores on September 12th for identification. Thanks!

Re:Google Should Stop Abusing Patent System

[lgw]

No, their slogan is "Don't, be evil". I thought everyone knew that by now.