Microsoft Pockets Patent for Encouraging TV Viewing

theodp writes "Through its WebTV unit, Microsoft was awarded a patent Tuesday for a system and method for encouraging viewers to watch television programs, such as offering viewers frequent-flier miles for identifying the name of a sponsor or the color of an announcer's shirt. In other news, Microsoft took a District Court to task for failing to recognize the existence of prior art for the Eolas web plug-in patent, resulting in a $521 million judgment against the software giant."

Re:Incentives??

[Hogwash McFly]

So you have Wife Swap now?

Can't you guys come up with your own programme ideas instead of constantly using ours? :-P

Incentives to watch TV?

[L. VeGas]

We don't need no stinking incentives!

----
Average Bored Teenager

So basically...

[Izago909]

They are trying to play both sides of the field. To me, Microsoft is like watching the homeless guy down the street have an argument with himself. Very entertaining, but it's advisable to keep your distance.

Try this!

[T-Kir]

He he, it's about time they try and patent 'Dodgy Business Practices' and 'Being a Monopoly'...

At least they'll be part of the prior art on those points. Plus, If they did ever patent those, then they could sue any other company that misbehaves (almost like an immoral moral guardian).

Re:Incentives??

[shadowbearer]

But don't kill your tv.

Letting your tv die of terminal loneliness is much better. :)

SB

Re:Secret Message:

[kfg]

Yes, it does indeed seem that MS has been granted a patent on the Captain Midnight secret decoder ring.

KFG

Re:Secret Message:

[ip_fired]

I'm not sure where you might have seen that, but it was in my Discrete Math book in the section about RSA encryption. :)

Up next...

[ender1598]

Patents encouraging people to:

Surf the internet
Go to school
Raise children
Listen to the radio
and to leave the toilet seat down when finished!

Re:Huh?

[zurab]

We actually need to encourage people to sit around and watch television? Come on....

I was wondering myself: Microsoft patents IE pop-ups on TV - does this count as "progress of science" or "useful arts?" Can someone patent a pop-up blocker for TV too? Ohhh, wait a minute, I'll be back...

Re:Secret Message:

[B.Hoover]

Be sure to drink your Ovaltine? A crummy commercial?? Son of a BITCH!

Re:Incentives??

[Anonymous Writer]

One more reality show like "Wife Swapping" and I'm going to kill my TV

In Soviet Russia you don't kill your TV... your TV kills you!

Re:Arrrghhh IRONY!

[Anonymous Coward]

Dude IRONY is an aluminum PATENTED water-resistant watch made by Swatch.
Now stop infringing use lowercase...oh the irony.