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US Copyright Chief Breaks Handset Locks

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what does this mean?

jonyboy27

Nov 24, 2006, 4:32 PM
so, does this mean that carriers will be forced to give out unlock codes for gsm phones? does this mean that all phones sold from now on will be unlocked right out of the box?
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Phoneking13

Nov 24, 2006, 5:10 PM
Usually it isnt a problem with T-Mobile since they'll supply the unlock code after 90 days of continuous service. But hopefully the phones will come unlocked from the provider, or will have less hassle of getting it unlocked.

Just have to wait and see.
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eric Lin

Nov 24, 2006, 5:55 PM
i am about to sound very jaded, but some days it's hard not to.

this change does not mean that carriers can't lock handsets, just that they can't prevent you from unlocking them. so my guess would be phones will still be sold locked, but that carriers will provide unlock codes if you ask nice or are at the end of your contract.

this is because the DMCA can't say that locking handsets is illegal, only that unlocking them isn't.
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ShadowScorpion

Nov 24, 2006, 6:53 PM
What about buying a new prepaid phone, Eric? Could I ask the carrier to unlock my phone since I'm paying the full retail price?

Just curious.
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sangyup81

Nov 24, 2006, 6:54 PM
The carrier could still say no.

Then you would have to go to a guy with an unlocking machine and pay him $25.
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krum303

Nov 24, 2006, 8:02 PM
With T-Mobile, they will give you the code in 24hrs if you pay full price for the phone and have an active account. If you get the phone at a discount, then they ask for the 90 day wait. This ruling doesn't seem to change anything because as far as I knew, unlocking phones wasn't illegal in the first place. It's your equipment and the EULA is with the carrier, not the equipment manufacturer.
Anyway, don't pay $25.00;
Just go to http://unlockme.co.uk
They have the instructions and downloads for free to unlock most Samsung, Motorola and Nokia handsets. You still can't remotely unlock LG's as far as I know but unlocking should be free. 😎
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ShadowScorpion

Nov 24, 2006, 11:43 PM
Interesting resource... I held back at getting other phones than Nokias because I didn't wanted to pay for an unlocking (used NokiaFree code generator)... but with that resource, I'll certainly get something else than a Nokia.

Just out of curiosity, I've checked with Rogers... even if I dished out the full retail price for the phone, they still want $200 to remove SIM lock. Needless to say, they can go f*** themselves. 😈 😈 😈 😈
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algorithmplus

Nov 25, 2006, 5:56 PM
I'm surprised Rogers would be so stringent with their handsets. Having a monopoly on GSM service, who would you jump ship to and still use the GSM phone?
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ShadowScorpion

Nov 25, 2006, 11:37 PM
I guess they just want to gut folks with roaming fees.

Go figure, I wanted my Rogers unlocked to use on *Fido*, and they still *wouldn't* unlock the damn thing unless I paid the 200$. What's more, they required at least *six* months of continous service with a monthly package - five years as prepaid doesen't even come close to their eyes, it would seem.

Their policy freaks me out. I mean, what in the nine hells do they lose? I paid my handset full retail price, and am under no se(r)vice term, and it's not like I'm moving on to a rival, so where's the problem?

Oh well, at least there's some good self-unlocking resources out there. You're not making a single buck out of me for an unlocking, Rogers.
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TinyJ316

Nov 26, 2006, 1:26 AM
Ummm... Rogers and Fido are both Canadian companies, and are therefore not covered by DMCA...

sorry Canada.
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algorithmplus

Nov 26, 2006, 8:34 AM
They are not covered by DMCA. That is correct.

However, Rogers and Fido are not Canadian companies, they are *a* Canadian company, a wholly-owned subsidiary of Rogers. It used to be Rogers-AT&T, but when AT&T Wireless was in trouble financially before folding, they sold their share back to Rogers. Rogers also acquired Microcell which runs Fido, and the previously publicly traded shares were taken private.

They are the only company to provide GSM service in Canada, as far as I know.
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sangyup81

Nov 24, 2006, 6:52 PM
Just because it's legal to unlock a phone doesn't mean it's illegal to lock a phone.
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josh.freiheit

Nov 24, 2006, 8:10 PM
THIS MEANS ALL THE UNLOCKED PHONES I SELL ON EBAY CAME DOWN IN PRICE! LAME FOR A RESELLER, GOOD FOR THE CONSUMER! WOW THE CONSUMER FINALLY WON?
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THEMAN

Nov 24, 2006, 8:21 PM
you couldn't sell a pizza to a starving man joshua
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josh.freiheit

Nov 24, 2006, 9:47 PM
At least I have pizza to sell "THEMAN"! 🤤
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