PSA: Jailbreaking now legal in the US, sort of

[mmntech]

A Library of Congress decision has added a DMCA exception which will allow people to jailbreak/root smart phones and install legally obtained third-party software on it.

What it basically means is Apple et al can't sue you for doing it. However, they can still use DRM to try and stop you. They also aren't required to jailbreak it for you.

http://www.engadget.com/2010/07/26/library-of-congress-adds-dmca-exception-for-jailbreaking-or-root/

 

[ViRGE]

Humm, I wasn't aware it was a DMCA violation in he first place.

 

[Nothinman]

And I'd guess that you're still bound by the TOS, meaning that even after you jailbreak your phone you still can't legally install tethering software in order to circumvent paying AT&T the extra $20 or whatever it's supposed to cost.

 

[mmntech]

Humm, I wasn't aware it was a DMCA violation in he first place.

I don't think it was originally but the industry was pushing towards it. This clarifies the law by codifying it. Now there's no room for precedent setting law suits.

 

[Patranus]

I don't think it was originally but the industry was pushing towards it. This clarifies the law by codifying it. Now there's no room for precedent setting law suits.

Sure there is.
Look at the ToS for OS X and PayStar.

Courts > Regulatory Body

 

[ericlp]

Yeah this was big blow to apple... can you imagine all the MONEY they could lose if millions of people suddenly stopped shopping at the APP store and just installed their own apps. This isn't about you, it's about millions of dollars for apple. Pure and simple. Obviously apple doesn't have you in their best interest.

I think it's a great step in the right direction. Locked down to buy what apples tells your to buy and wants you to buy and it sets the price on everything. How great is that? For apple that is. Man, I'm sure glad I don't own apple products I just can't be that restricted.

Just me I guess.

 

[Kmax82]

Yeah this was big blow to apple... can you imagine all the MONEY they could lose if millions of people suddenly stopped shopping at the APP store and just installed their own apps. This isn't about you, it's about millions of dollars for apple. Pure and simple. Obviously apple doesn't have you in their best interest.

I think it's a great step in the right direction. Locked down to buy what apples tells your to buy and wants you to buy and it sets the price on everything. How great is that? For apple that is. Man, I'm sure glad I don't own apple products I just can't be that restricted.

Just me I guess.

Why do people feel necessary to espouse how wonderful it is that they don't own Apple, yet they're coming into Apple forums and expressing it?

1) I don't care what you use. Use Linux, Windows, OS X, a stick and water.
2) No one thinks that Apple is their warm cuddly teddy bear who just wants to love them all the time.
3) Apple products aren't that restricted. I have been able to do everything I've wanted/needed with them.

 

[Nothinman]

Yeah this was big blow to apple... can you imagine all the MONEY they could lose if millions of people suddenly stopped shopping at the APP store and just installed their own apps. This isn't about you, it's about millions of dollars for apple. Pure and simple.

Yea, because the PC gaming industry crumbled under the weight of piracy years ago...

2) No one thinks that Apple is their warm cuddly teddy bear who just wants to love them all the time.

Despite what people say, most Apple fans give that impression. And in a way Apple does have your interests in mind because they want you to keep paying their premium prices.

3) Apple products aren't that restricted. I have been able to do everything I've wanted/needed with them.

And if you only do what Apple wants you to do that's fine, but as soon as you want to do something else it's either a huge PITA or virtually impossible.