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Apple has been granted a patent to disable smartphones from taking pictures and recording footage at concerts.

The house that Steve Jobs built has been granted a new patent for technology that can keep people from recording concert footage on their phone.

The way it would work is that iPhone cameras will detect infrared signals sent out by devices set up at the venue by concert organizers and performers. These signals will block any attempts at taking pictures or filming.

According to the Atlanta Business Chronicle the technology could also apply watermarks to detected images as an alternative to completely disabling a recording function.

“For example, a device may receive infrared signals with encoded data that includes a command to apply a watermark to detected images,” says the ABC. “In such an example, the device may then apply the watermark to all detected images that are displayed or stored.”

So pretty much, this new approved technology can either keep people from recording altogether or it can allow recording and put a watermark on all footage captured, similar to geotagging on Snapchat. In other words, Apple has patented another way to control the phone in your pocket. Remember when they put that U2 album on everybody’s phone without asking and then made you jump through hoops to get it removed?

In the last decade the presence of smartphones has both enhanced and ruined the concert experience. Many performers have become annoyed by the sea of blue screens and flashing lights in the audience. As a concert goer it can be equally annoying to be standing behind people who insist of holding up their phones to record parts of the show, blocking the view. On the flipside, recording footage and posting it to social media has helped spread awareness of some artists and their music.

No word on when the technology will be applied and rolled out.

Photo: Screenshot