Apple files for hijacking advert patent

Cupertino (ip-192.com): Apple has filed a patent application for an intrusive ad-presentation system that requires users to acknowledge adverts before getting on with their work, according to a New York Times report. The application was made public by the United States Patent and Trademark Office.

The filing specifically describes the system as "disabling" normal system operation of a device while the ad is being presented to a user. While filing a patent application doesn’t necessarily mean that Apple plans to use the technology, it shows that the company has invested considerable resources to develop what it calls an “enforcement routine” that makes people watch ads they may not want to watch. The technology can freeze a computer or iPhone until the user answers questions to demonstrate that he or she has dutifully noticed the commercial message.

"In return for paying attention to the advertisements, the user can receive a product or service for free or at reduced cost, or otherwise receive a benefit," the patent filing notes. Users could also "unlock" an ad-free mode through a payment, according to Apple. "While the presentation of advertisements is described in examples herein with respect to a personal computer 102, it should be apparent that the disclosed implementations can be incorporated in, or integrated with, any electronic device, e.g., a device that has a visual user interface, including without limitation, portable and desktop computers, servers, electronics, media players, game devices, mobile phones, wireless devices, email devices, personal digital assistants (PDAs), embedded devices, televisions, set top boxes, etc," the patent reads. "The approaches for verifying user presence can be made progressively more aggressive if the user has failed a previous test."

The inclusion of servers running the Apple OS makes the filing especially scary: Corporate network could be hold hostage until every user acknowledges whatever Apple throws at them. Microsoft and Linux distributions will certainly hear the message.