Library of Congress says ur a criminal if you unlock your phone

[buckshotbarlow]

Damn turdballs...half the fun is figuring out how to do this!!!

http://washington.cbslocal.com/2013/01/28/federal-mandate-makes-unlocking-cellphones-a-punishable-crime/

So now, if you buy a used cell phone, you gotta validate it's not unlocked or it's a fine or clinker time...

[bogie]

I just don't get it.......... There are no substantive problems in this country that congress needs to fix.[Mad]

link to said librarian: http://www.loc.gov/about/librarianoffice/
I didn't know this position existed until today.

[strm_trpr]

Yeah, people do not see that every day what we can do with our own property is being limited.

[zteknik]

Preban phones now??!!
Next their going to want to control what you do on the internet.....

[TFOGGER]

I've got a dollar that says that not one single person is ever charged for this.

[zteknik]

I've got a dollar that says that not one single person is ever charged for this.
Probably not yet.But it seems the list of things one cant do is adding up.Once the list is full and we are trully assimilated the'll start charging...

[sellersm]

Probably not yet.But it seems the list of things one cant do is adding up.Once the list is full and we are trully assimilated the'll start charging...

Someone has said recently that most people violate at least one law just by waking up & getting out of bed...

[sellersm]

And we can all see who this new 'law' benefits? Not you and me, that's for sure...

[clublights]

I'm pretty sure everyone is reading this shit wrong...

When you buy a phone at a discounted price it is subsidized by the carrier. you are in a contract . EVERY CARRIER will unlock your phone at the end of the contract ( and most will do it after you pay the Early Termination Fee when breaking the contract early) .. all this new ruling says is that it is illegal to break that contract.

I don't see what the big deal is .

[zteknik]

^^
Since you put it that way it makes more sense.
Were just getting our tinfoil a bit too tight with all the going ons.

[bogie]

My big deal is that the librarian of congress has any say on what is law.

[clublights]

I can see it being a pain in the ass IF the Carriers change policy ( which they could I suppose ) but AT&T for example will unlock for international travel after 3 months if you call and ask nicely. I dunno about other carriers since I have had AT&T since the first iPhone came out and have no desire to switch currently.

I'm also confident that if the carriers refuse to unlock the phone after your contract is up you would have a viable lawsuit against them.

( I've also unlocked 3 of my old iPhones with them with little to no hassle)

[Ah Pook]

Technically it's the Librarian of Congress.

I read the article and have no clue why this is even an issue. [Dunno]

[Aloha_Shooter]

I'd like to see another source for this. You're talking about an article written and published by CBS's DC affiliate. Chances are far greater than average that the guy writing this article didn't understand the facts, the situation or what he was writing. The Librarian of Congress doesn't pass legislation and even the article later simply says the LoC was asked for a RULING on how the DMCA pertained to unlocking cellphones. Again, the LoC is not part of the judicial branch and therefore doesn't make rulings nor is it a part of the executive branch so doesn't have any enforcement powers.

[clublights]

I'd like to see another source for this. You're talking about an article written and published by CBS's DC affiliate. Chances are far greater than average that the guy writing this article didn't understand the facts, the situation or what he was writing. The Librarian of Congress doesn't pass legislation and even the article later simply says the LoC was asked for a RULING on how the DMCA pertained to unlocking cellphones. Again, the LoC is not part of the judicial branch and therefore doesn't make rulings nor is it a part of the executive branch so doesn't have any enforcement powers.


Oh there are a ton of links out there... google unlock phone illegal and it will spit back 100's of links ... I still stnd by my statement of people not really reading what was said by the LoC and that they are jumping to conclusions that are incorrect .

[clublights]

https://www.eff.org/is-it-illegal-to-unlock-a-phone

[Aloha_Shooter]

Right -- so the LoC didn't mandate legislation, they refused to create an exemption (a power granted to them under the DMCA) for unlocking cellphones despite precedent from prior years. Entirely different situation from a legal and Constitutional standpoint. I still say the DMCA is equine fecal matter but regardless this is still much ado about nothing.

[baglock1]

I've got a dollar that says that not one single person is ever charged for this.

Probably right, but if they see you pop up on another network without the proper papers, they might find "other things" when they come in through the door. Yeah, some tinfoil there but it doesn't mean it's not possible.

[Rooskibar03]

Can you imagine the 3rd Strike that puts you away for life being unlocking your iPhone.

What kind of street cred does that get you in cellblock C?

[Gman]

If I don't own the phone, then why are they making me buy it? Tell you what cell phone companies, you provide me with your phone and charge me for the service.

[JohnTRourke]

so, is there really anyone left who thinks we don't live in a police state???????

[buckshotbarlow]

the minute i get an iphone and jailbreak it so that i can actually use it is when i'll get busted.

[clublights]

the minute i get an iphone and jailbreak it so that i can actually use it is when i'll get busted.


"Jailbreaking" is legal and protected.

[sniper7]

Who cares what they say.

[TFOGGER]

The whole DMCA is bullshit. It needs to be repealed, right alongside the Patriot act and the NDAA...

[Ronin13]

I just don't get it.......... There are no substantive problems in this country that congress needs to fix.[Mad]

I couldn't agree more! There are so many laws, rules, regulations, that every aspect, part, and inch of our lives falls under some sort of legal speak... I'm willing to bet there is a rule out there somewhere in some law book in our history that says how you can sit on a toilet! [facepalm]

[Uberjager]

Preban phones now??!!
Next their going to want to control what you do on the internet.....

Like they could.[Neene3]

[th3w01f]

Worse than the phones, how about the fact that it's illegal to backup or rip (for another device) a DVD that you own. The whole carrier thing was covered correctly in the post about them subsidizing your purchase with a contract. ATT currently has a policy that they will unlock any ATT iPhone that is more than 2 years old. Just did it a month ago (craigslist iPhone) without any problem.

[buckshotbarlow]

It's amazing how our govt just fights tech, kinda like our 2 lovely senators from kali...Lets just let our non approved legislating body do the work for us...watched the ruby ridge special on GB last night...I'm starting to loose hope for Kolorado, wy is looking better and better all the time...



Worse than the phones, how about the fact that it's illegal to backup or rip (for another device) a DVD that you own. The whole carrier thing was covered correctly in the post about them subsidizing your purchase with a contract. ATT currently has a policy that they will unlock any ATT iPhone that is more than 2 years old. Just did it a month ago (craigslist iPhone) without any problem.