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Reps Introduce Bipartisan Bill To Legalize Mobile Device Unlocking
New submitter tomservo84 writes "It seems some people in the House of Reps have their heads screwed on straight. A bill would 'make it permanently legal for consumers to unlock their mobile devices, and consumers would not be required to obtain permission from their carrier before switching to a new carrier.' 'This bill reflects the way we use this technology in our everyday lives,' Rep. Lofgren said. 'Americans should not be subject to fines and criminal liability for merely unlocking devices and media they legally purchased. If consumers are not violating copyright or some other law, there's little reason to hold back the benefits of unlocking so people can continue using their devices.' Now, what chance does this have of actually passing?"
"Americans should not be subject to fines and criminal liability for merely unlocking devices and media they legally purchased"
MEDIA???? No way the media cartels will give up all the monstrous legislation around copyright circumvention.
Certainly the good Congressman misspoke.
This administration did criticize the Librarian of Congress for the unlocking rules change though.
Trying to become famous by taking photos. Visit my homepage please.
How many things have they criticized about the Bush administration, and then copied?
Criticism means nothing without actions to back it up.
Agreed. I think "nominating Telecom lobbyist to head FCC" is an action that soundly trumps "feigned criticism of the LoC."
I never understood why they bother to lock the phones in the first place.
Oh, I can think of some reasons:
1. So they can sell the right to install an app on a phone that a consumer can't get rid of.
2. So they can set up "app stores" that collect a significant cut of whatever the user wants to buy.
3. So they can prevent third parties from creating and selling alternative services to their own products that are cheaper and/or better.
4. To reduce the number of ways a user can mess it up.
I am officially gone from
Simply Repeal the DMCA. Making NEW laws to fix broken ones is not the answer. Start repealing laws that have no use except to force an iron fist around consumers.
Do not look at laser with remaining good eye.