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

[peacefulberry]

I posted this in Android Central where the full article is located, but haven't gotten a response yet, so I thought I'd post it here as well...

Do I have this correct: If the phone is purchased unsubsidized (off contract) this law doesn't apply to me?

[darthcircuit]

From what I read, it is still legal to unlock your phone "with the permission of the carrier" - AT&T should still sell you an unlock code. I bought my phone right out, (Lumia 820) and I'm hoping that after the 6 month exclusivity, they should sell me the code. (I'm planning on taking it with me to Australia)

[RumoredNow]

Originally Posted by darthcircuit

From what I read, it is still legal to unlock your phone "with the permission of the carrier" - AT&T should still sell you an unlock code. I bought my phone right out, (Lumia 820) and I'm hoping that after the 6 month exclusivity, they should sell me the code. (I'm planning on taking it with me to Australia)

Save that bill of sale... AT&T will ask for a copy. That makes it almost automatic that you will get the unlock code, especially if you cite foreign travel as the need.

[berdinkerdickle]

This really ticks me off.
I think I'll smoke some legal pot to mellow out.

[RumoredNow]

Originally Posted by berdinkerdickle

This really ticks me off.
I think I'll smoke some legal pot to mellow out.

We need some kinda Super Moderator to look at that post...

[bimmin]

Sounds like another example of how corporations control our government.

It is still legal to buy unlocked phones and carries can unlock phones, a user just can't unlocked their locked phone. I think this was done to prevent people from moving over to the significantly cheaper prepaid plans.

[sledge007]

White House says 'it's time to legalize cell phone unlocking' in official petition response | The Verge

The White House agrees with the 114,000 people that signed the petition (against cellphone unlocking being illegal).