Sony was recently granted a patent for new technology to blacklist pirate apps on smart TVs and media players.
The patent, titled “Apparatus and method for preventing illegal reproduction of content,” describes a system that would use a blacklist of known piracy websites to prevent users from accessing them through their smart TVs or media players.
The system described in the patent would work by using a database of URLs known to host pirated content.
When a user attempts to access one of these URLs, the system would check the database to see if it is on the blacklist. If it is, the user would be prevented from accessing the site and instead be shown a message stating that the site is not available.
This isn’t the first time that Sony has attempted to combat piracy through the use of blacklists. In the past, the company has implemented similar systems on its PlayStation gaming consoles, which have been able to block users from accessing pirated games and other content.
While the patent is a new development, it’s unclear if or when Sony plans to implement this system on its smart TVs and media players.
Patents are often granted for ideas or concepts that companies may never actually bring to market, so it’s possible that this anti-piracy measure may never be used in a consumer product.
On the other hand, such a system could be used as a way to protect Sony’s intellectual property, which is a valuable asset for any company.
By preventing users from accessing pirated content, Sony could help to protect its revenue streams from being impacted by piracy.
However, the measure also could raise concerns about internet censorship and users’ freedom. Blacklisting websites could be seen as a form of censorship and may be met with pushback from privacy and civil rights groups.
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Additionally, such a system could be easily bypassed by users who know how to use virtual private networks (VPNs) or other tools to access blocked content.
In conclusion, it’s still unclear whether Sony will implement this anti-piracy measure, but the patent does demonstrate the company’s ongoing efforts to combat piracy.
While it may help protect the company’s intellectual property, it also raises concerns about internet censorship and user freedom, and it may not be effective in preventing piracy.
Below you can view the official patent documentation from Sony.
Sony Patent Documentation (PDF)
For more information, you can refer to Sony’s press releases and also watching the video below for Sony’s history of anti-piracy measures.
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