Technology that could block iPhones from recording videos of concerts is generating a mix of opinions within the Canadian music industry.

The U.S. Patent and Trademark Office published a patent earlier in June for technology that would allow an invisible infrared signal to disable the camera on an iPhone. The patent mentions that a transmitter for infrared signals could be "located in areas where capturing pictures and videos is prohibited (e.g., a concert or a classified facility)" and could generate "commands temporarily disabling recording functions."

The patent has not yet been approved and Apple has not commented on it.

But it has generated a lot of discussion and opinions among iPhone users, concert-goers and members of the music industry, including Brian Thompson. Thompson is a managing partner at Thorny Bleeder Records, a Vancouver-based record label and management firm for developing artists. Many emerging musicians benefit from the exposure they get from videos of their concerts being recorded by fans and posted online.

"If your shows are indiscoverable on YouTube, then you're not going to be seen," Thompson said.

Recording is banned at many venues because it may result in copyright infringement and may make it more difficult for bands to control their image. But the convenience of having a small, subtle video recording device constantly close at hand in the form of a smartphone means that many concert-goers ignore such rules.

Canadian concert promoter David Hawks said he doesn't understand those who want to video concerts.

"They want to have the experience of being in a concert but they don't really want to watch it first hand," he said. "They want to watch it later or be watching it through the screen as though you're standing there. It's very weird."

He said he'd personally like to rid concerts of iPhone recording. But he ultimately thinks it is up to the artist to decide whether to allow themselves to be recorded or not.