Japan’s Criminalization of Ad Skipping
07.22.2005
CNET’s John Borland reports that Japan has declared it illegal to use PVRs to skip TV ads (News.com). You have got to be kidding. What’s next–jail time for people who turn the page before reading the pitch on a print ad? Fines for viewers who don’t order Ginsu knives (Ginsu Guys) off the late-night TV spots?
An alternative idea might be: Make better commercials and put them in front of an audience that might be receptive. If broadcast TV doesn’t allow for the kind of targeting that makes that possible, move the dollars to cable TV and the Internet.
[...] will go over well! It reminds me of that ridiculous attempt by Japan’s government to make it a crime to skip TV commercials back in 2005. Comment on post digg_url = [...]