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Apple Claims That Jail-Breaking Is Illegal

Posted by ScuttleMonkey on from the never-underestimate-the-power-of-greed dept.

rmav writes "Apple has finally made a statement about jail-breaking. They try to sell the idea that it is a copyright infringement and DMCA violation. This, despite the fact (as the linked article states) that courts have ruled that copying software while reverse engineering is a fair use when done for purposes of fostering interoperability with independently created software. I cannot help but think that the recent flood of iPhone cracked applications is responsible for this. Before that, Apple was quietly ignoring the jailbreak scene. Now, I suppose that in the future we may only install extra applications on our iPhones as ad hoc installs using the SDK, and if we want turn-by-turn directions, tethering, and the like, we have to compile these apps by ourselves? Maybe we should go and download the cydia source code and see what we can do with it."

6 of 610 comments (clear)

  1. Hehehe by Who+Is+The+Drizzle · · Score: 5, Funny
    The EFF analyst has apparently been browsing Slashdot for far too long cause even he is using car analogies!

    One need only transpose Apple's arguments to the world of automobiles to recognize their absurdity. Sure, GM might tell us that, for our own safety, all servicing should be done by an authorized GM dealer using only genuine GM parts. Toyota might say that swapping your engine could reduce the reliability of your car. And Mazda could say that those who throw a supercharger on their Miatas frequently exceed the legal speed limit.

  2. Re:Apple's reality-distortion field by Shakrai · · Score: 5, Funny

    then just shoot them. Don't even give it a second thought.

    Then continue your study of the internal workings of the iPhone from pound-me-in-the-ass prison ;)

    --
    I want peace on earth and goodwill toward man.
    We are the United States Government! We don't do that sort of thing.
  3. New Apple ad... by Torodung · · Score: 5, Funny

    "Want to get sued? There's an app for that."

    --
    Toro }B^>

  4. Re:Apple's reality-distortion field by Anonymous Coward · · Score: 5, Funny

    Ok, Fine,

    Um, Guys, It's time to start the iPhone linux distro.

    I suggest we call it "Screw you apple" but I'm willing to be voted down on the name.
    The logo on the other hand WILL be an apple with a giant screw completely through it on a jaunty angle.

    Meet you at sourceforge.

  5. No More Cowbell by TheMeuge · · Score: 5, Funny

    Look, it's very simple.

    Saying that jail-breaking an iPhone is a violation of the DMCA, is the same thing as claiming that if I own a Blue Oyster Cult mp3, and edit the file to add even MORE COWBELL, I would be committing a DMCA violation.

  6. Re:Apple's reality-distortion field by jaavaaguru · · Score: 5, Funny

    A computer program isn't like a chair

    Yes it is...
    Microsoft uses both of them to make people feel pain

    --
    Follow me