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Bill to Legalize Phone Unlocking Clears Committee

Jul 31, 2013, 5:32 PM by Eric M. Zeman

The House Judiciary Committee today approved the Unlocking Consumer Choice and Wireless Competition Act, which will eventually make it legal for consumers to unlock their cellphones without first obtaining permission from their wireless carrier. It will also allow third parties to help consumers unlock their cell phones. Earlier this year, an exemption in copyright law expired and unlocking cell phones (without carrier permission) became illegal. Consumer advocates immediately campaigned to have the law reversed. "We all live with our phones 24/7, so it is important for consumers to have the flexibility to pick the service plans that work for them," said Internet Subcommittee Chairman Howard Coble, co-sponsor of the bill. Now that the bill has passed committee, it must be approved by the full House of Representatives.

U.S. House of Reps. »

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Comments

This forum is closed.

This forum is closed.

Globhead

Jul 31, 2013, 5:42 PM

Totally ridiculous...

...that anything related to COPYRIGHT was ever applied to criminalize personal use of an object someone bought bought.

arox413

The problem with that statement is "that someone bought". If you bought it outright at full retail price then yes that should apply to you. But, if you got it at the 2 year contract price you only paid for part of the phone and still owe money on it....
(continues)

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