UniquePhones indefinitely delays release of iPhone SIM unlock software
So, as you may have seen, earlier this morning at 3AM local time UniquePhones (the team behind iPhoneUnlocking.com, who've claimed to have the second proper iPhone SIM unlock software hack) got a threatening call from AT&T's legal team urging them to not release their software -- or else. Now, we can understand why any smallish business wouldn't exactly want lawyers repping AT&T (and Apple) breathing down their necks for a potentially market-shifting discovery -- which is why the company is now officially holding the release of their SIM unlock solution indefinitely while they assess their legal position. Fair enough, but we still haven't even had a chance to verify their solution does unlock iPhones.However, the interesting (and possibly telling) bit comes up at the end of their release, where apparently UniquePhones is "evaluating what to eventually do with the software should they be legally denied the right to sell it." Here's to hoping that, should UniquePhones not find themselves able to actually sell their software, at very least the unlock method they've discovered gets opened up to the public. After all, there's no reason why everyone shouldn't be able benefit from this knowledge just because one company isn't able to sell it, right?
Reader Comments (Page 1 of 1)
Leo @ Aug 25th 2007 4:23PM
well, what a surprise!
i smell something like bull****
waiownsyou @ Aug 25th 2007 6:16PM
This is probably the exact reason why Apple offered the iPhone to Verizon first. That way, they can secure the phone with CDMA....
lawlzpwned @ Aug 25th 2007 8:14PM
yeah, because they can "secure the phone with CDMA...".
can't you idiots go back to trolling slashdot? grown-ups are talking.
waiownsyou @ Aug 26th 2007 3:55AM
Actually, cunt bag, before you jump into your tantrum suit again, you need to calm your ass down and stop thinking everyone is inferior to you.
I was referring to how the general CDMA providers like Verizon and Sprint neglect using SIM cards for their phones with a few minor exceptions (like VZW's World Edition Blackberry) and how it would offer little alternative and incentive to unlock the phone, which in turn would only work for the as-said Sprint and Verizon.
Speaking of idiots, learn to use proper grammar.
Anonymous @ Aug 26th 2007 7:32AM
If the company uniqueiphoneunlock is a US based company it can be sued, but if they were to transfer the software to a third world country, where copyrights don't fall into category, and cannot be sued by an international company.
This is a way to go.
The owners still get paid for the third party retailing the software. I already have sources doing this in a similar way for other software entities.
TJ @ Aug 26th 2007 2:03PM
This is what you get when you try to build up too much hype before actually doing anything. If they would have just put the hack up for download, then showed everyone the video proving they could do it, ATT wouldn't have had the chance to stop them prior to releasing it, and would have had to file a legal injunction to get them to stop. Chances are it would not have been granted since there are no clear cut legal guidelines for unlocking a device you own.
Anthony @ Aug 27th 2007 8:55AM
They should look into do it in Antigua
http://techdirt.com/articles/20070823/194516.shtml
Xultar @ Aug 27th 2007 11:21AM
If I were them I'd leak it for free.
donnie @ Aug 27th 2007 11:50AM
Umm hello
http://ebiquity.umbc.edu/blogger/2006/11/25/unlocking-a-cell-phone-is-now-legal-in-the-us/
CJ @ Aug 28th 2007 2:46AM
The only problem I can see is that the phone has to be one that you own. All handsets are subsidized when you buy a 1 or 2 year contract, and even with the steep upfront cost of the iPhone, it is still subsidized too (that's why the locks are technically called "subsidy locks"). The only argument I can see AT&T making is that you don't completely own the phone until the subsidy is paid for.
But even that is unclear since the carrier never clearly tells you when your subsidy is paid for, or people would never stand for being locked into a two year contract because I'm sure it's paid off in well under 2 years.
I think I agree with TJ. It's easier to beg forgiveness than ask permission.
Michael @ Aug 30th 2007 3:12PM
To me AT&T needs to be told by the government to shut the hell up. We OWN these phones (I don't, but I said "we") and even if we cancel service, we still OWN these phones and the law states (at least until 2009) this is LEGAL to unlock your phone for personal use. *shrugs* if they want to make a buck, so be it. I agree with Google and we should OPEN up the cell phone industry like Europe has.