New Phone Unlocking LAW in US

[knoughtyd]

So since 26th January, unlocking a phone in US now illegal without the carrier’s permission thanks to the recent legislation passed by the Library of Congress for the Digital Millennium Copyright Act (DMCA):|

From what I have read about it, I could conclude the following:

1. The new law and only applies to phones purchased after January 26th 2013, hence phones purchased before this date are still 100% okay to unlock.

2. If the phone ispurchased after January 26th 2013, then one has certify having the carrier's permission to unlock your Mobile device, or is unlocking a "legacy" or "older generation" cell phone out of contract.

3. This ruling is only applicable on US customers and this law can be completely ignored by clients outside of the USA in foreign countries. (Apparently is part of the DMCA ruling)​

4. Unlock code providing sites will/might continue to provide the codes to unlock the phones but with the condition that they wont be responsible for the customer's actions if they do not abide by the requirements.


So this was the reason why suddenly many code provider's listings were removed from eBay recently

 

[Mr.J]

Idiots.

 

[smnrock]

OT.... Verizon iPhone 5 Factory Unlock Code Service Instant Unlock USA | eBay :annoyed:

 

[raksrules]

OT.... Verizon iPhone 5 Factory Unlock Code Service Instant Unlock USA | eBay :annoyed:

Isn't the owner of this listing getting money for nothing ?? Verizon iPhone 5 is already unlocked for GSM use within / outside USA. Probably you meant to show that only ??

 

[smnrock]

Probably you meant to show that only ??

Yes... i meant that only...
I already use verizon iphone 5

 

[cri_sss]

so do this mean, we (international buyers) can buy the gsm phone and can get it unlocked legally outside USA?

 

[Spacescreamer]

There is an online petition to the white house to stay the order being run atm.
Can non US citizens vote ?

 

[prateekS]

It doesn't affect us. Chill.

 

[knoughtyd]

Recently bought an unlock code and it worked fine But the listing had the following disclaimer

This listing unlocks devices acquired before 26th January 2013. The new unlocking law does not affect this listing and unlock codes are not available for the devices bought after this date.

So does this mean all the new phones sold after 26th Jan will not have an unlock code irrespective of the buyers destination(within US or outside like us):unsure:

 

[knoughtyd]

There is an online petition to the white house to stay the order being run atm.
Can non US citizens vote ?

Don't if this will change anything but I saw this petition on XDA and went ahead and signed. And yes anyone can sign it, we just need an valid email id and a US Zip code

PS: Petition closes on 23rd Feb and it requires about 16k more signs:unsure:

 

[zibalingz]

 

[6pack]

US citizens are becoming like prisoners in their own country. And to think they say its the land of the free...
all this nonsense in the name of security and for corrupt greedy corporates. USA might just turn out to become one lawless country like in their movies in the future, if politicians push such ridiculous bills in their parliament.

 

[knoughtyd]

Looks like the online petition which received over 100,000 signs will be a successful one afterall with Whitehouse issuing a official statement on the petition saying that "It's Time to Legalize Cell Phone Unlocking":bigok:

The White House agrees with the 114,000+ of you who believe that consumers should be able to unlock their cell phones without risking criminal or other penalties. In fact, we believe the same principle should also apply to tablets, which are increasingly similar to smart phones. And if you have paid for your mobile device, and aren't bound by a service agreement or other obligation, you should be able to use it on another network. It's common sense, crucial for protecting consumer choice, and important for ensuring we continue to have the vibrant, competitive wireless market that delivers innovative products and solid service to meet consumers' needs.

OFFICIAL WHITE HOUSE RESPONSE TO Make Unlocking Cell Phones Legal.