iPhone jailbreak and unlock? Relax, the government says it's OK
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A separate rule justifies installing software in order to use the phone on another carrier, if it doesn't mind having your device on its network – smells like the popular unlocking was just legalized. We'd imagine the carriers and manufacturers will be fighting tooth and nail to spin the wording and continue the restrictive policies.
Apple, in particular, has announced numerous times that jailbreaking and unlocking modifies the core software, thus it might lead to voiding your warranty, or cause your phone to lose functionality. Before you take out the barbeque, and invite some friends from XDA-devs over, we are curious to see where Apple and the others stand on the newly minted DMCA exemptions.
source: ABC
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16 Comments
1. android_hitman posted on 20 Oct 2010, 01:47 0 0
about time :D the phones are ours when we buy them... its not the providers or the manufacturers(APPLE) property. all phones should be UNLOCKED and opened to MODS :D i think Steve Jobs will get an Aneurysm :)
3. Mbock posted on 27 Jul 2010, 07:57 0 0
While I agree that the phone is yours, I also disagree with phones being totally unlocked. All of the major carriers that currently provide service in the US sell phone at discount because of the two year contract you sign. For example the Droid X is currently running $199.99 after rebate with a contract, while is running $569.99 with out a contract. If you buy the phone out right agree with you. However if you buy the phone with contract I belive you should at least keep the service for the term of the contract. This is coming from someone that loves the idea of having a an I Phone on T-Mobile.
6. Ronsse1373 posted on 27 Jul 2010, 09:40 0 0
Ture but you are pay a monthly fee that goin way pass the full retail price of the phone, so your pay till the contact end and if you cancel you got there term fee. So Yes the phone is your and it should be unlocked cause after the 2 years what if you dont want the providers bad service anymore....your just spend a couple of $1000 or more just for two years and now your phone is no good enless you stay with the bad service that you might have......that aint right!
8. remixfa posted on 27 Jul 2010, 10:56 0 0
if you buy a phone at a discount, or buy it right out, it shouldnt matter. If i buy a phone at a discount and cancel my service, i pay that lovely contract cancellation fee. That generally more than covers the cost of the device's discount. Thats really all its for. And if i buy it at a discount and finish my contract, i should be able to do what i want anways. point blank. I bought it, its mine. And i agree, steve jobs is probably blowing a few gaskets now that the government told him he cant boss his customers around on jailbreaking. This bill IS a responce to Apple personally.. lol. If you read the whole article off the news source it says as much.
12. networkdood posted on 27 Jul 2010, 11:48 0 0
If you buy the phone and agree to the contract which includes paying data/msg prices, then get over it, otherwise do not buy the phone. Wireless companies are not non-profit, folks - this is AMERICA, where people and corps make money or aim to make money.
13. networkdood posted on 27 Jul 2010, 11:49 0 0
Pay the term fee and get the code - I like the sound of that....seems fair. Pay the discounted price and stay with the carrier 2 years, and then get the code is fair, too. The first choice costs less over the long haul.
14. underwood2012 posted on 27 Jul 2010, 15:25 0 0
@networkdood I disagree, well, only a little. It won't necessarily cost less to pay the ETF. You still plan on paying for cellular service if you unlock the phone, it will just be with another carrier. Example: Say the new carrier only saves you $75 a year over your old one (Also, you add more services than you had with your previous provider, since it looks cheaper to you). Over two years you save $150. You paid, I don't know, a $250 early termination fee. You're out $100, So you actually end up paying more. Do you get what I'm saying? The real life numbers could be way different and you could actually end up saving money - this is just an alternate scenario where you might not.
15. networkdood posted on 27 Jul 2010, 16:05 0 0
if you buy a phone for free online as an upgrade, then cancel after 30 days, you only pay 150.00 or so and the phone is around the same value plus cost of data/msg as voice is voice is still voice...the longer you have the contract the more it will cost you in the long run, capiche?
2. JeffdaBeat posted on 27 Jul 2010, 07:12 0 0
Basically, this means that Apple can't sue you for unlocking or jailbreaking your phone. I believe it was in Apple's terms/agreement that by buying the iPhone, you agree not to alter or modify the software. Only problem is Apple never really tried to take anyone to court because of this. So not much has really changed. I always thought the agreement was dumb because like the poster above, you own the phone when you buy it. That still doesn't stop Apple or any company from refusing to honor the warranty if jailbroken though...
4. mcmkone posted on 27 Jul 2010, 08:43 0 0
American Goverment 1 - Apple 0 lol I bet they didn't see this one coming... i think this is possibly get back for the response around the death grip...(steve Jobs, What death grip) oh yeah sorry incorrect signal bars...lol
7. scottmbolt (unregistered) posted on 27 Jul 2010, 10:24 0 0
Enter the Obama haters ... stage left!
9. zerglisk posted on 27 Jul 2010, 11:10 0 0
So can Motorola provide their authentication keys to unlock Droid X for better and easier rooting process!?
10. networkdood posted on 27 Jul 2010, 11:45 0 0
This is not a big deal and you folks should not get worked up over much about nothing. No one has ever been arrested for jailbreaking their iphone. I supposed website companies offering the secret can relax now. Most iphone users do not jailbreak their phone as there is not much reason, too. Personally, any phone should be network and software unlocked after the 2 yr term is served by the customer on any carrier as it is part of the Terms and Conditions which most Americans fail to read then plead ignorant/stupid on. Get an ANDROID and root it - my CAPTIVATE is rooted - really easy process once you get the SDK and all neccessary drivers loaded onto your PC. Good by AT&T bloatware, hello cooked ROMs....
11. networkdood posted on 27 Jul 2010, 11:46 0 0
Also, this ruling has no effect on current subsidy unlock code rules by the carriers. Apple can still attempt to prevent you from unlocking your phone - just as someone out there will outsmart APPLE just for the H**L of it.
16. qwertyman56 (unregistered) posted on 06 Aug 2010, 05:18 0 0
i am pretty sure that this act will surely threaten apple. why? people will surely resort on unlocking a device because it's now legal. this law is pretty good. once you have bought a device, it's all yours to modify or customize it and not apple's. it is our right to do whatever we want to do in a device that we have dreamt for.
