vB Easy Archive - Required that phones are unlocked?

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Required that phones are unlocked?
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Posted by: anubis9278

Has anybody heard about this yet?

http://www.engadgetmobile.com/2006/...unlock-cellpho/

has its ups and downs personally speaking.

Posted by: ivwshane

It doesn't look like it requires carriers to unlock their phones but rather that people are legally allowed to unlock them now (or hack the software) and not run into copy right issues.

I've always believed users should be allowed to do what they want with their phones. The only negative being that it could cause issues on the network if users hack or enable options that the network doesn't support.

Posted by: gregsmith59

Quote:

Originally Posted by anubis9278

Has anybody heard about this yet?

http://www.engadgetmobile.com/2006/...unlock-cellpho/

has its ups and downs personally speaking.

Yeah, there are two other threads about this in the main forum ...

Anyways, the way some of us read it it only prevents the carrier invoking copyright as a defense against unlocking. It doesn't obligate the carrier to unlock the phone.

Posted by: freelight

I never knew it was illegal to unlock or hack cellphones in the first place. I own the device, why shouldn't I be allowed to do whatever I want to it? (And even if I got the device at a low, promotional price in exchange for signing a contract, I still own it.)
Doesn't hurt the provider either, really - unlocking the phone doesn't free you from the ETF.

Posted by: Alfred_Neuman

i'd love to buy the software/hardware to unlock phone so i can do a sidejob doing it.

Posted by: ivwshane

Quote:

Originally Posted by Alfred_Neuman

i'd love to buy the software/hardware to unlock phone so i can do a sidejob doing it.

It's out there, it's just a matter of putting up the cash.

Posted by: Jayden0606

It was never illegal under certain circumstances. ie. Int'l travel or buying at full non-commitment pricing.

Posted by: wnrussell

"In granting the exemption for cell phone users, the Copyright Office determined that consumers aren't able to enjoy full legal use of their handsets because of software locks that wireless providers have been placing to control access to phones' underlying programs." - Source, Associated Press

The Verizon members are hoping that means legally uncrippling Bluetooth and MP3 players.

Posted by: Eurogreek

So if I call cingular, would they unlock my phone. I currenty have the att sim and would like to buy a new phone from cingular without switching my contract. Would they let me but a cingular phone then unlock it?

Posted by: cingtd

Quote:

Originally Posted by Eurogreek

So if I call cingular, would they unlock my phone. I currenty have the att sim and would like to buy a new phone from cingular without switching my contract. Would they let me but a cingular phone then unlock it?

You don't quite understand. Cingular will not provide the subsidy unlock code unless you qualify. Once you call CS they will submit a request form (assuming you meet the minimum qualifications). From there the request will be approved and the code will be released or the request will be denied. Nothing has really changed with this ruling by the Library of Congress.

Posted by: .7

This has already been posted numerous times now, its being discussed in the main forum, please contuine this discussion there.

http://www.howardforums.com/showthread.php?t=1049819