According to patent sleuth Barry Fox, in his current Invention column in New Scientist, Philips has filed a patent for a technology that would make it impossible to fast-forward through commercials on digital video recorders. Basically, the scheme would embed flags in the broadcast signal which would disable user-control of the recorded/buffered content during commercial blocks. The scheme also includes a provision for a paid opt-out feature where viewers could pay a fee to regain control of their signal. Gee thanks, Philips. Philips? What do they make, again? I can’t think of the last time I bought a Philips anything. Maybe this is why. I don’t like the way these people think.
You can peruse the patent aquí.