Skip to main content

Unlocking new phones now banned under DMCA, the EFF weighs in


It was great while it lasted, but the days of users legally unlocking their own phones is over. Back in October of last year, the Library of Congress added an exemption to the DMCA to allow folks to free their new phones for 90 days. That three month window has now closed. Of course, carriers are still free to offer unlocked handsets themselves, and some will also unlock them for you as long as certain conditions are met. "Legacy" or used handsets purchased before today can still be unlocked without any finger-wagging from federal courts.

So, what does this mean exactly? Well, Electronic Frontier Foundation attorney Mitch Stoltz told us, "What's happening is not that the Copyright Office is declaring unlocking to be illegal, but rather that they're taking away a shield that unlockers could use in court if they get sued." This does make lawsuits much more likely according to him, but it's still up to the courts to decide the actual legality of phone unlocking. Indeed, it's a grim day for those who want true freedom over their own devices. Stoltz said to us, "This shows just how absurd the Digital Millennium Copyright Act is: a law that was supposed to stop the breaking of digital locks on copyrighted materials has led to the Librarian of Congress trying to regulate the used cellphone market."


SOURCE: ENGADGET

Comments

Popular posts from this blog

PRIVACY POLICY

Privacy Policy Last updated: February 20, 2024 This Privacy Policy describes Our policies and procedures on the collection, use and disclosure of Your information when You use the Service and tells You about Your privacy rights and how the law protects You. We use Your Personal data to provide and improve the Service. By using the Service, You agree to the collection and use of information in accordance with this Privacy Policy. This Privacy Policy has been created with the help of the Free Privacy Policy Generator . Interpretation and Definitions Interpretation The words of which the initial letter is capitalized have meanings defined under the following conditions. The following definitions shall have the same meaning regardless of whether they appear in singular or in plural. Definitions For the purposes of this Privacy Policy: Account means a unique account created for You to access our Service or parts of our Service. Affiliate means an entity that controls, is con...

Child-friendly Galaxy Tab 3 Kids listed in Korean brochure

We're no experts in Korean back-to-school literature, but it looks as if one retailer has tipped Samsung's plans a little early. If the documents above are legitimate, then the company will launch a kiddie-focused Galaxy Tab in short order. The Galaxy Tab 3 Kids is said to be an 8.5-inch slate with a 1.2GHz dual-core CPU, a 1,024 x 600 WSVGA display, 8GB storage, 1GB RAM and Jelly Bean. The company has also seen fit to include 802.11 a/b/g/n WiFi, Bluetooth 3.0, a microSD card slot (no word on capacity) and a 4,000mAh battery. One thing that lends weight to the listing is that the device's model number is SM-T2105, which evleaks tersely described as a "Galaxy Tab for children" a month ago. There's more pictures over at the source, but not a single spec saying that this new device is resistant to jam-smeared fingers. Source: ENGADGET

So this is basically / Asi que esto es basicamente... [SPANISH TEXT]

Si amigos, basicamente la idea del blog fue introducir a todos en el mundo de la tecnologia y hacer que esta no fuera tan "compleja" o "complicada" para todos. Ultimamente no hago reviews propios, ya que me tomo la molestia de elegir buenas noticias (que considero) para su placer informativo (bueno, las visitas me dicen que lo estoy haciendo bien) Pero, y si algun dia llegase a terminar todo? Regalar el dominio? Vender el blog? Nah, muchas veces me lo he preguntado pero... por algo senti el deseo de escribirles, desde mi misma mano y tecla, porque esto es lo que me apasiona: la tecnologia, la programacion, el llevar todo niveles superiores, exponenciar mi capacidad de analisis. De esto se trata todo, esto es basicamente el alma del blog: tecnologia. Actualmente me encuentro en otra ciudad, desde hace ya 1 mes. Las cosas han estado normales, pues dentro de lo que alguien podria definir de "normal". Gracias a Dios no me hace falta lo basico, desafortunad...