Re: Starting Today, It's Illegal to Unlock Your Cellphone

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Author: JD Austin
Date:  
To: wmack, Main PLUG discussion list
Subject: Re: Starting Today, It's Illegal to Unlock Your Cellphone
It is not that simple. Even if you have an out of contract phone the cell
companies won't always unlock it for you. I just went through that with a
Tmobile phone I bought on ebay... when I got it it was unlocked but TMobile
locked it when I activated it on a unlimited no-contract sim with them they
locked it. They refused to even try to give me the unlock code because I
wasn't a current customer with a contract. I had to go to the mall to have
them unlock it.
The cell phone contracts already stipulate draconian one sided measures.
Why for example do they advertise unlimited/etc showing people streaming
video and then in their contract dis-allow any service that uses streaming?


On Sat, Jan 26, 2013 at 3:53 PM, Walter Mack <> wrote:

> hhmm,
> some random thoughts:
>
> You CAN buy unlocked phones legally. The article mentions iphone 5 and
> some google phone - so you have an alternative if you don't like a locked
> phone. Maybe its more expensive, but you HAVE A CHOICE.
>
> Why don't they simply "lease" you the phone, then it remains their
> property and no one would question that unlocking a phone that is the
> property of someone else (the provider) can be considered illegal?
>
> Why don't the contracts simply stipulate that you AGREE to not unlock the
> phone? Surely every good citizen will abide by the contracts he/she signs -
> and if someone doesn't its breach of contract - what am I missing here?
>
> If it is really that high on your list of priorities, get some 100000
> voters together for a lobbying campaign, and see the wonders that can do.
> Citizens (you and me among roughly 300 Million others) have a right to
> lobby congress, just as much as cell providers have.
>
>
> On 01/26/2013 04:28 PM, keith smith wrote:
>
>
> I know some of you do not agree with my limited government position,
> however this is what a run away government does. We pay for our phones
> with those two year contracts. Our rates would be lower if they did not
> "subsidize" our phones. These phones are our property.
>
> Hold onto your seat. This is just an example of how a run away government
> is going to treat it's people.
>
> This is not freedom, this is bondage.
>
> Th article says in part:
>
> The worst-case scenario for an individual or civil offense could be as
> much as a $2,500 fine. As for those planning to profit off of the act or a
> criminal offense -- such as a cellphone reseller -- the fine could be as
> high as $500,000 and include prison time.
>
>
> http://abcnews.go.com/Technology/now-illegal-unlock-cellphone/story?id=18319518
>
>
>
>
>
> ------------------------
> Keith Smith
>
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