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Government Changes Laws Regarding Locked Devices

Jul 26, 2010, 10:59 AM by Eric M. Zeman

The U.S. Library of Congress' Copyright Office has revised a 1998 federal law that was put in place to block people from hacking past software locks installed on devices by their makers to block unauthorized use. The new exceptions to the law will allow users of the iPhone, for example, to legally "jailbreak" their device and install unauthorized applications without fear of reprisal from Apple or law enforcement. The revised law will also let used cell phone owners unlock their handsets so they can switch carriers if they wish. Other changes affect digital rights management (DRM) as applied to video games, movies, and computer security. Apple has not responded to the new government regulations or offered comment on the matter.

Associated Press »

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Comments

This forum is closed.

This forum is closed.

Mark_S

Jul 26, 2010, 11:18 AM

Yipee?

Why not just make it plain and simple.
Not allow carriers to lock their phones period!

T Bone

No thank you, I don't want to have to pay $700 for a cell phone, the subsidy lock and contract system works quite well for the vast majority of customers. Get rid of that, and you'll see a rapid depletion of the mobile phone industry as everyone eit...
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cecampbell

The news story references "makers" so does it also apply to carriers?

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thisnthat

Jul 26, 2010, 12:08 PM

so does this mean....

That I can. Now activate my verizon moto droid on my sprint account?

famoussasjohn

does it say anything about the motorola?
think it just says something about the iPhone..could be mistaken.

...

mycool

thisnthat said:
That I can. Now activate my verizon moto droid on my sprint account?

The issue was never about "locked" vs "unlocked".

For you to be able to use the Droid on Sprint you would need:

1) Sprint to...
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vzwINCRED

Jul 26, 2010, 1:58 PM

Uh Oh

wait til all of the techs for company a get a tech issue with company b and they dont have documents to troubleshoot it! 😕

ggfunk

I can see it now:

"I'm sorry. While that phone is able to be activated, we cannot provide official support for the device. Please contact the manufacturer for any and all troubleshooting."

...

ecycled

Jul 26, 2010, 11:11 AM

One manufacturer singled out

"The revised law will also let used cell phone owners unlock their handsets so they can switch carriers if they wish. Other changes affect digital rights management (DRM) as applied to video games, movies, and computer security. Apple has not responded to the new government regulations or offered comment on the matter. "

This affects alot more than just the Apple brand. Wonder what Warner Bros, Activision, Nintendo... would have to say.

gsmcentral

I am fine with this law.

I also fine with Apple, Nokia, etc doing their best to padlock their software, but they should understand when they accept my money for a phone. Its not their phone anymore its MINE. PERIOD. Between me and the carrier, a c...
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Mr. Scary

Jul 26, 2010, 11:48 AM

Way to go, US Copyright Office!

Finally doing something for the benefit of consumer and not big business. Nice to see!

CS2006

How do you figure it is better for the consumer? So I end my contract with AT&T with my smartphone, get it unlocked and take it to T-Mobile. I have an old smartphone with an old battery and T-Mobile is dancing in the streets because they did not have ...
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alpaca_camel

Jul 27, 2010, 5:37 AM

what's your call on this one, bluecoyote and justfinethanku?

😁

flip mode

Jul 26, 2010, 3:17 PM

Nana Jobs is not happy!

" The new exceptions to the law will allow users of the iPhone, "for example", to legally "jailbreak" their device and install unauthorized applications without fear of reprisal from Apple or law enforcement."

The article says "for example" but I'm pretty sure it could mean other phones. Phone locking should be outlawed. Contracts gotta go too. 😁

bluecoyote

People have the option to purchase any phone they want contract free I believe. They don't.

JeffdaBeat

Jul 26, 2010, 1:58 PM

So basically...

Basically, Apple can't say a person illegally unlocked or jailbroke their phone. I know Apple tries to make it part of their user agreement that the phones cannot be tampered with. But I've never seen Apple try and take someone to court for it.

Now what Apple can do is refuse to work on a phone that has been unlocked and say it voids the warranty.

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