Sony recently acquired a patent for a new system to blacklist illicit applications on smart TVs and media players.
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The patent, titled “Apparatus and method for preventing unauthorized reproduction of content,” details a system that would utilize a blacklist of recognized piracy websites to prevent users from accessing them through their smart TVs or media players.
The system described in the patent would operate by using a database of URLs identified for hosting pirated content.
Upon attempting to access one of these URLs, the system would cross-reference the database to ascertain if it is on the blacklist. If so, users would be barred from accessing the site and instead be shown a message indicating the site’s unavailability.
This is not the initial occasion where Sony has strived to counteract piracy through the use of blacklists. Previously, the company has implemented comparable systems on its PlayStation gaming consoles, effectively preventing users from accessing pirated games and other content.
By preventing users from accessing pirated content, Sony could shield its revenue streams against piracy.
Nonetheless, this measure may raise worries about online censorship and user freedom. Website blacklisting might be interpreted as a form of censorship and could encounter opposition from privacy and civil rights organizations.
Moreover, such a system can be easily evaded by users knowledgeable in using virtual private networks (VPNs) or other tools to bypass blocked content.
To sum up, it remains uncertain whether Sony will enforce this anti-piracy measure. Nonetheless, the patent showcases the company’s ongoing efforts to combat piracy.
While the measure may safeguard the company’s intellectual property, it also raises concerns about online censorship and user freedom, and may not effectively prevent piracy.
Below, you can access the official patent documentation from Sony.
Sony Patent Documentation (PDF)
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