Philips defends DVR Patent

We recently reported on the findings of a Philips DVR patent that would force DVR users to watch adverts by not allowing them to fast forward through the adverts or to change channel once an advertisement starts.

This new DVR patent was a shock to many consumers and sparked a lot of interest very quickly over the prospects of the technology being used. Philips has now issued a statement saying that they do not intend to use the technology:

“We never had the intention to force viewers to watch ads against their will and do not use this technology in any current Philips products, nor do we have any plans to do so.”

Philips has stated that they issued the DVR patent to keep up with current technological developments within the DVR industry and not with the intention of developing a specific product.

This sounds odd for a company to create a DVR patent when they do not intend to use. However this is quite normal as it prevents other companies from developing the technology, gives the company the option to use the technology should there be an opening for it and allows them to lease it should another company wish to use the technology.