Microsoft Patent Monetizes Your TV Remote 234
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.'"
See also (Score:3, Informative)
Now where have I heard this idea before... Ah, right! [smbc-comics.com]
Though to be fair, the patent seems to have come first (Filing date: Mar 19, 2004, Issue date: Nov 22, 2011, WTF.) Great minds think alike?
Re:Pointless, will not work without a monopoly (Score:5, Informative)
Actually, if you participate regularly, SlashDot gives you the option to skip ads even without being a paying subscriber. Because of that, I don't block their ads.
Re:too late (Score:3, Informative)
& etc.
"etc." means "et cetera". Using "&" before it means you don't know its meaning. Stop using it.