Report: Kinect Based DRM for the Xbox One May Apply Additional Fees Based on the Number of People Watching a Movie

[Shawn Zipay]

An old patent filed by Microsoft for the upcoming Kinect bundled with the Xbox One may serve as a very restrictive and annoying form of visual DRM.

The technology at work in the patent will utilize Kinect's always-on camera to determine how many people are sitting in an area watching a movie on the Xbox One. If the number of people exceeds the maximum number of viewers permitted by the film license, the user will be prompted to pay an additional fee to upgrade the license.

"The users consuming the content on a display device are monitored so that if the number of user-views licensed is exceeded, remedial action may be taken."

The additional fee is based on a per movie license that the user agrees to when they rent or purchase a film through the Xbox One and is based on a per film or per movie studio setting.

Again, this is an old patent, but sources in the UK gaming industry told MCV within the past month that the system will be included with the Xbox One. Microsoft's only statement on the matter says that the company "regularly applies for an receives patents as part of its business practice, not all patents applied for or received will be incorporated into a Microsoft product." That can also be read as "we're not saying yes this is included, but we're also not saying it isn't."

[jimykx]

[stilla-killa]

Wow if this is true then another nail in the coffin for Xone.

[Anarchy1]

It might not be bad depending on what the number of people is before they start charging.

[Shawn Zipay]

It might not be bad depending on what the number of people is before they start charging.

It's not consistent.

The additional fee is based on a per movie license that the user agrees to when they rent or purchase a film through the Xbox One and is based on a per film or per movie studio setting.

[nemes1s3000]

Just turn the Kinect around and have it facing a picture frame of a single individual in it. Problem solved.

[The_Eliminator]

^^^

Would that actually work? Hmmm

[Stev0esque]

Just turn the Kinect around and have it facing a picture frame of a single individual in it. Problem solved.

You know, I wonder if that'll actually work... if not, put it infront of a high def GIF of that single person moving slightly on a cheap laptop or tablet or something.

[K-16]

You just made me smack my head and sigh in disappointment... Way to ruin hundreds of thousands of dollars of R&D and legal fees by coming up with an exploit within a day.

[jimykx]

doesn't it has an IR sensor now?

[The_Eliminator]

Just face it at the dog. Problem solved.

[dvereb]

Just face it at the dog. Problem solved.

"Ruff"
"Dog detected, viewer count faking detected, movies deleted, subscription cancelled."

Or perhaps this scenario:
On Xbox One when your kid walks in...
"[Kid's name] detected. Game is rated M for mature. Game shutting down."
Could you imagine call of duty without all the kids?!

[CptainCrunch]

Sensor is easy to bypass or fool.

So you have one of those animated picture frames with a heat lamp

[SgtMattBaker]

Keep digging!

[Shawn Zipay]

Given that it has depth detection and IR detection, simply turning it around won't really work nor would pointing it at a photograph. Assuming it's as advanced as they claim it is.

The damn thing knows when you look away from the screen in order to pause content, FFS, and you guys think it'll be fooled by a 2D image?