Unlocking smartphones without permission illegal after Friday

[UnrepentantLiberal]

BY SALVADOR RODRIGUEZ
The Los Angeles Times
January 25, 2013

A change to the Digital Millennium Copyright Act that makes it illegal for consumers to unlock their mobile devices without the permission of their carrier goes into effect Saturday.

Carriers lock smartphones -- which they typically subsidize in the U.S. -- as a way to prevent their customers from getting a cellular plan with a different company.

Users unlock phones when they want to switch carriers, sometimes after the phone's original contract has run out, or so they can use it when going abroad.

The change was made because the Librarian of Congress determined that consumers have a number of alternatives to unlocking devices, including buying devices that come already unlocked.

More: http://www.latimes.com/business/technology/la-fi-tn-unlock-phone-illegal-20130125,0,3942514.story

[Duer 157099]

1. Well if you can buy an unlocked phone

then what's the problem with unlocking a phone you already own?

Oh yeah, greed.

[reACTIONary]

7. The cost of the phone...

...is subsidized by the carrier who locks it. The unlocked phone costs more. So, when you say greed, whose greed are you referring to?

[Sherman A1]

2. Interesting

I drive past a couple of billboards during my commute from T-Mobile with the offer "Bring in your Unlocked AT&T Smartphone and save......."

Wonder how that will play out....

[AverageJoe90]

3. This is just plain criminal.

Since when do corporations have the right to do such things? Ever?!?

[UnrepentantLiberal]

4. Corporations came to the profound realization

that if they buy the politicians and most people are unaware of what is being done and feel powerless do anything about it anyway, they can do whatever they want.

[reACTIONary]

8. What is criminal about it?

The carrier subsidizes the cost of the phone with the understanding that the customer will use it only on the carrier's network. What's wrong with that? Why shouldn't they be able to make an offer like that and enter into such an agreement?

[ROBROX]

5. I just bought an unlocked Iphone for 25%

I guess I won with the cost and the unlock. I know if you get a smart phone THEY want you to subscribe to a DATA PLAN which could add another $30 per month to the bill.

I ain't no rich person, but I do pay for 5 family phones. I still think if people are using their phones like a computer they have to get a LIFE....

[UnrepentantLiberal]

6. Where did you buy your phone?