Chron: Cell phone unlocking becomes a crime on Saturday

percicles · Jan 25, 2013

So for our lawyers out there. Is this constitutional? I mean once something is our property can't we do as we please with it?

CaptainRox · Jan 25, 2013

This is total and utter bull ****. This and other Internet/gadget manipulation is why those greedy mother****ers are able to make do much money while they have 'data caps'. We're a 1st world country with 2nd world Internet.

F!ck whoever was behind this

ItsMyFault · Jan 25, 2013

How would they really know if your phone is unlocked?

sugrlndkid · Jan 25, 2013

Enforcement??? HPD will go hard the perps tom...that's right...they are gonna go to Hilcroft and Harwin and bust all those cell phone stores starting tomorrow...lol

Seriously...this is what idiots are we electing into public office that felt the need to address this as a significant issue???

wizkid83 · Jan 27, 2013

wizkid83 said: ↑

Question, it's the act of unlocking that's violating U.S. interpretation of intellectual property right? And not the actual process of unlocking.

The reason I ask is this, if some one goes to say Canada or Mexico, get their phone unlocked by a third party, and bring the unlocked phone back, are there legal ramifications?

Looking for IP lawyers to chime in.
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Bump: So are there any body that can share their thoughts this? since there are unlocked phone around, many done through the carrier? So since the act of owning unlocking the phone isn't illegal, is it just the process. I.E. if you get the phone unlocked outside the U.S., is that ok?

Scionxa · Jan 27, 2013

wizkid83 said: ↑

Bump: So are there any body that can share their thoughts this? since there are unlocked phone around, many done through the carrier? So since the act of owning unlocking the phone isn't illegal, is it just the process. I.E. if you get the phone unlocked outside the U.S., is that ok?
Click to expand...

I would assume it is. I just imported a phone from Europe that comes factory unlocked straight from HTC.

sugrlndkid · Jul 25, 2014

A message from the White House

Update on Cell Phone Unlocking

Last year, over 114,000 of you made your voice heard and petitioned the Administration to restore a basic consumer freedom: to take your mobile service -- and a phone or tablet you already own -- to the carrier that best suits your needs.

It's common sense, good for competition and innovation, and essential to consumers. That's why the Administration declared last March that "It's time to legalize cell phone unlocking," and today the President commended Congress for doing just that:

I applaud Members of Congress for passing the Unlocking Consumer Choice and Wireless Competition Act. Last year, in response to a "We the People" petition from consumers across our country, my Administration called for allowing Americans to use their phones or mobile devices on any network they choose. We laid out steps the FCC, industry, and Congress should take to ensure copyright law does not undermine wireless competition, and worked with wireless carriers to reach a voluntary agreement that helps restore this basic consumer freedom. The bill Congress passed today is another step toward giving ordinary Americans more flexibility and choice, so that they can find a cell phone carrier that meets their needs and their budget. I commend Chairmen Leahy and Goodlatte, and Ranking Members Grassley and Conyers for their leadership on this important consumer issue and look forward to signing this bill into law.

Everyone has done their part to get here -- from the FCC convening carriers, to the industry agreeing to voluntary steps to make their unlocking process transparent and reliable. And as he said today, the President looks forward to signing this bill into law. It's just one more way he is taking the lead in making life a little easier for the middle class, and ensuring our technology remains the envy of the world.

You called, the President answered, and together we made cell phone unlocking happen.
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Pizza_Da_Hut · Jul 25, 2014

Cell phone unlocking is legal again. Thanks Obama.

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Chron: Cell phone unlocking becomes a crime on Saturday

percicles Member

CaptainRox Member

ItsMyFault Member

sugrlndkid Member

wizkid83 Member

Scionxa Member

sugrlndkid Member

Pizza_Da_Hut I put on pants for this?

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