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30 Aug 2007
An exemption to the Digital Millennium Copyright Act (DMCA) in the US means that it may be legal to unlock an iPhone and use it on networks other than AT&T's.
A report in Business Week suggests that the exemption, which is in place for three years, covers computer programs that 'enable wireless telephone handsets to connect to a wireless telephone communication network, when circumvention is accomplished for the sole purpose of lawfully connecting to a wireless telephone communication network'.
Individual users could therefore legally unlock an iPhone until the exemption runs out in November 2009.
Lawyers for Apple and AT &T have tried to deter hackers from unlocking iPhones in order to protect the monthly service charges they receive.
The two firms are expected to claim that a statement within the DMCA protects the iPhone from being unlocked because it is a copyrighted work.
The DMCA bill reads: 'No person shall circumvent a technological measure that effectively controls access to a work protected under this title.'
However, users who unlock their iPhone will not escape AT&T network charges completely if they move to another carrier.
The Apple phone, which went on sale on 29 June, was sold with a two-year contract and includes an early termination fee of $175.
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Do you agree?
What 175$ ???
I have an iPhone on pay as you go no contract...
Posted by: Gravlock 31 Aug 2007
Unlocking the iPhone
I have a point for you: WHY does the iPhone work with T-Mobile? For such to work, they need to have code which is compatible with the Network Recognition keys in the phone, or the Sim won't just "work", it would require "Activation", right? It's because T-Mobile IS AT&T, guys. I'm surprised none of you have noticed that Deutsche Telekom has two ownwers, the German Government (47%) which is essentially just a protectionist move on their part, and Blackstone Group (AT&T/GE/SBC) (4.7%), giving them 51% control. The underlying technology of DT (T-Mobile) is AT&T. So, what you've got here is no big deal, by eliminating the lockout and plugging in a T-Mboile Sim, you've moved the phone from AT&T to AT&T's T-Mobile subnet. Big Deal!
Posted by: Johnny Appleseed 30 Aug 2007
Legal exemption allows iPhone unlocking
As has been noted many times before, it is NOT necessary to have a long-term contract with AT&T to use your iPhone. All it takes is a 'failure' of the credit approval when authorizing the iPhone and AT&T will sign you up for a month-to-month program. It's about 10% more than the regular program. But, no $175 cancellation fee.
Posted by: Dru Richman 30 Aug 2007
Check facts
Could you please point me to one instance where Apple lawyers have sent a cease and desist notice to iPhone users? It has not.
Posted by: Terrin 30 Aug 2007
Apple's lawyers have been blocking this?
Apple's lawyers have been blocking this? That's the first I've heard Apple was involved. I've read about AT&T several places, but not Apple. Are you making this up, or can you back that up?
Posted by: Ronald Bell 30 Aug 2007