TiVo has revolutionized the way TV is watched. But, if Phillip’s has it’s way with the patent they filed, all TiVo users could be in for a nasty surprise.
What Phillip’s is advocating is the use of flags in the digital signal to force people to watch commercials. They would do this by having the box not allow fast forwarding based on the flag. Two things to be noted here: 1. Customers would probably cancel their TiVo/DVR rather than put up with this, and 2. What kind of crap is this?
Put simply, DVR/TiVo have been popular not only for the recording capability, but also for the ability to skip quickly through a show without having to watch the commercials. If they ever wanted to kill this technology, this may do it.
I have one thing to say, and this goes for things like this, DRM, etc.: Let me do what I want with my experience, and stop cramming this garbage down my throat. I understand it may not fit your efficient, little model of paid advertisements, but the consumer should get what the consumer demands. I hope Phillip’s gets nothing from this patent. From their own filing, they say it may be “greatly resented by viewers”. Now there is something I would want to patent and put my money behind.
Posted by Jeff
