tag:www.convergenceculture.org,2007:/weblog//3/tag:www.convergenceculture.org,2005:/weblog//3.232- Comments for The McDownload Strategy Movable Type 3.35 tag:www.convergenceculture.org,2005:/weblog//3.232 2005-12-08T03:58:07Z 2006-10-31T05:50:18Z The McDownload Strategy The New Scientist reports that McDonald's has filed a patent for a new business model that seems likely to become part of the future of Happy Meals: providing media content that can only be partially downloaded on each visit. Patents... Ivan Askwith The New Scientist reports that McDonald's has filed a patent for a new business model that seems likely to become part of the future of Happy Meals: providing media content that can only be partially downloaded on each visit.

Patents filed by Disney reveal plans to drip-feed entertainment into a portable player while the owner eats in a restaurant. You only get the full programme by coming back to the restaurant a number of times to collect all the instalments. McDonalds could use the system instead of giving out toys with Happy Meals, suggests Disney's patent.

When the owner buys a meal they get an electronic code that authorises a partial download. If the file is in five parts there is a strong incentive to come back for four more meals.

(Thanks to SmartMobs for this one.)

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