More annoying than a little kid with a drum set: Those pop-under ads that have exploded into use on the Internet may become a little less common. CNet's News.com is reporting that ExitExchange is claiming rights to the ubiquitous advertising convention. If its patent application is approved, all those Web sites using those ads will have to start paying royalties.

Of course, that will likely mean that the even-more-annoying "takeover" ads -- that cover up content and are and play a flash-like animation may be used more often.

Maybe this isn't a good thing.