General Discussion

stevenleser

(32,886 posts)

50. Original Article

Tue Jan 29, 2013, 08:33 AM

Jan 2013

http://www.livescience.com/26541-unlocking-cellphones-becomes-illegal.html

The new rule against unlocking phones won't be a problem for everybody, though. For example, Verizon's iPhone 5 comes out of the box already unlocked, and AT&T will unlock a phone once it is out of contract.

You can also pay full-price for a phone, not the discounted price that comes with a two-year service contract, to receive the device unlocked from the get-go. Apple sells an unlocked iPhone 5 starting at $649, and Google sells its Nexus 4 unlocked for $300. [See also: Can I Get a Smartphone Without a Contract?]

Advocacy group the Electronic Frontier Foundation (EFF) questions whether the DMCA has the right to determine who can unlock a phone. In an email to TechNewsDaily, EFF attorney Mitch Stoltz said, "Arguably, locking phone users into one carrier is not at all what the DMCA was meant to do. It's up to the courts to decide."

If you do buy a new phone and want to unlock it before the deadline, you must first ask your carrier if the company will unlock your phone for you. The DMCA only permits you to unlock your phone yourself once you've asked your carrier first.

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Highlight:

The Most Ridiculous Law of 2013 (So Far): It Is Now a Crime to Unlock Your Smartphone [View all] xchrom Jan 2013 OP

Does anyone remember the good ole' days when you didn't even own your own phone? sadbear Jan 2013 #1

Depends on who takes charge over the next few years. AverageJoe90 Jan 2013 #26

Implications are far-reaching. intheflow Jan 2013 #2

Get an unlocked smart phone on a Canadian Carrier Lesmoderesstupides Jan 2013 #3

Can you please explain to this dummy, Sekhmets Daughter Jan 2013 #31

An unlocked phone can be used on any carrier. Lesmoderesstupides Jan 2013 #34

Thanks...I switched to Sprint a few months back... Sekhmets Daughter Jan 2013 #35

You can negotiate lower rate if you don’t use the time or data Lesmoderesstupides Jan 2013 #36

Hey thanks! Sekhmets Daughter Jan 2013 #40

until that is made illegal leftyohiolib Jan 2013 #51

See http://www.democraticunderground.com/10022277303 Lesmoderesstupides Jan 2013 #52

The fine is too high but I don't have a problem with this. proud2BlibKansan Jan 2013 #4

I have a huge problem with this hootinholler Jan 2013 #8

They are making money on the service proud2BlibKansan Jan 2013 #11

Obviously you don't understand how they structure their costs... rexcat Jan 2013 #12

You've "nailed it". Plucketeer Jan 2013 #15

Actually has nothing to do with rooting your phone Spike89 Jan 2013 #19

The problem is, this includes that phones that do not have good deals on them Horse with no Name Jan 2013 #10

While I understand your stance here.... Plucketeer Jan 2013 #16

I never had an IPhone Horse with no Name Jan 2013 #18

What carrier was that? midnight Jan 2013 #13

AT&T proud2BlibKansan Jan 2013 #25

Thank you... midnight Jan 2013 #46

That is your perogative MattBaggins Jan 2013 #37

Dumb law. You own the phone. The carrier does not. randome Jan 2013 #5

It's been done before. sadbear Jan 2013 #6

Maybe the difference today, though, is that a phone is not just a phone. It's a mini-computer. randome Jan 2013 #7

what is the word for 10x ridiculous? farminator3000 Jan 2013 #9

Not sure how to unlock or even know what that means to unlock? midnight Jan 2013 #14

the punishment strikes me as excessive dsc Jan 2013 #17

They do have the right to hold you to the contract. If you want out you pay an early termination Ed Suspicious Jan 2013 #22

But once the contract period is done, you own the phone JustABozoOnThisBus Jan 2013 #38

not all contracts are legal MattBaggins Jan 2013 #39

Good god. woo me with science Jan 2013 #20

This must be a joke! Rainforestgoddess Jan 2013 #21

Is it still a crime to tear the tags off of pillows? bluestateguy Jan 2013 #23

This is seriously fucking outrageous. AverageJoe90 Jan 2013 #24

and many if not most people will go ahead and do it anyway quinnox Jan 2013 #27

the correct term is "root" the phone. unlock sounds unsavory. farminator3000 Jan 2013 #28

No it is not the proper term MattBaggins Jan 2013 #41

you're right, but they probably don't know or care. both control issues... farminator3000 Jan 2013 #44

If done correctly, rooting a phone is almost stupid proof LTR Jan 2013 #48

yep, i did it, so... farminator3000 Jan 2013 #49

This is only on those subsidized (cheap bundled in a contract) locked phones, though. Lone_Star_Dem Jan 2013 #29

That may not be true MattBaggins Jan 2013 #43

I should have been more clear. Lone_Star_Dem Jan 2013 #45

I don't blame you at all MattBaggins Jan 2013 #47

Seems really weird to me that the government would get involved in this. ZombieHorde Jan 2013 #30

This was why the DMCA raised so many hackles in tech circles Recursion Jan 2013 #33

You can still buy an unlocked phone, you just can't get the subsidy for it from the carrier Recursion Jan 2013 #32

The poor multi Billion $$$ telecomms need protection. lpbk2713 Jan 2013 #42

Original Article stevenleser Jan 2013 #50