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Mobile Phones Locked By DMCA
wellington map writes "A mobile phone company is arguing that companies that unlock their handsets violate the DMCA. They argue that the software on the phone is a copyrighted work, and the unlocker is breaking DRM in a way that violates the statutory prohibition on circumvention. A similar claim by Lexmark, which tried to apply it to people who refilled printer cartridges, has recently been rejected by the courts." From the Wired article: "The financial motive behind this claim is obvious. Companies have been using the razor blade business model to guarantee a steady stream of revenue ever since, well, the razor blade. Cell phone companies sell you a phone at a discount, and then make up the difference by requiring you to sign a multi-year contract promising to pay monthly fees for mobile phone service or to fork over a hefty termination penalty if you break the deal. But many customers, particularly those who travel internationally, want more choice."
People went: "Like OMG":
"Bullock carts sell cheap, it's always those flimsy bullock cart wheels that cost a fortune."
"Horses come cheap, it's the price of horsewhips that the horse companies are after."
"Rocks are a dime a dozen, it's the exorbitantly priced firewood that the wood companies fleece you with."
Now it's all like OMG "they're using teh razor blade model". Times are a changing.
An Indian-American Hindu committed to non-violent thought/speech/action alarmed by the global explosion of radical Islam
No, you don't automatically get kicked. You get kicked when other people want to use it.
THATS HOW IT WORKS NOW ANYWAYS.
There are finite number of slots. Ever get kicked off at busy airport? That's because when 1000 people all of a sudden try to call and there are only slots for 100 people you're not getting far.
With this idea you share the network [omg he said share, teh ghey!] with others. So that if you're a not stop talking drama queen bitch, you'll get silenced once in a while as others want to use it.
IN RETURN:
You pay 20$ a month for ANY TIME, ANY WHERE, ANY LENGTH calls.
Wow, that's hard.
Tom
Someday, I'll have a real sig.