Develop Bugs

[Q] Illegal to unlock?

Can someone smarter than me please explain what this means for us?
http://mashable.com/2013/01/23/unlocking-cellphones-illegal/

Well they say it in the first few lines. You can no longer legally unlock your phone after Jan 26.
Sent from my SAMSUNG-SGH-I747 using xda premium

Sooo.... XDA will either support "hackers" or delete threads/posts about the "illegal" activity?
d3athsd00r said:
Well they say it in the first few lines. You can no longer legally unlock your phone after Jan 26.
Sent from my SAMSUNG-SGH-I747 using xda premium
Click to expand...
Click to collapse

This refers to carrier unlocking a phone. Such as taking your att phone and unlocking it to work on a tmobile or anyone else that has similar spectrum.
Sent from my SAMSUNG-SGH-I747 using xda premium

Always pay attention to verbiage.
Sent from my SGH-I747 using xda premium

Wow the US has some retarded laws for a country so obsessed with " freedom"

Yeah.. this is kind of bull****. I understand carriers doing this, but why is this mandated by the U.S. government?
crixley said:
Wow the US has some retarded laws for a country so obsessed with " freedom"
Click to expand...
Click to collapse

stevesteveLA said:
Sooo.... XDA will either support "hackers" or delete threads/posts about the "illegal" activity?
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
I should hope not. Let's hope XDA remembers that not all its members reside in the U.S. and that unlocking is perfectly legal in other places.

pfft! I say whatever! How the hell are they gonna catch you? Well the US can enjoy that, but like anything there is always another way around so in reality there must likely isn't too much to worry about
Sent from my R800i using xda app-developers app

I think maybe people should read into the article a little more?
The new rule against unlocking cellphones won't be a problem for everybody, though. For example, Verizon's iPhone 5 comes out of the box already unlocked, and AT&T will unlock a phone once it is out of contract.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
That, to me, sounds like it's only ACTUALLY becoming illegal to unlock your device without your carrier's permission to do so. So... you know... like those of us on AT&T who decided to just chat them up and ask for the unlock code for our GS3's would be in the clear, since it was permitted by the carrier.

Illegal to unlock your phone now?

Has anyone seen this yet?
Apparently its going to be illegal to unlock your cellphone if you purchase it from a carrier instead of outright buying an unlocked phone.
http://consumerist.com/2013/01/25/a...roviders-permission-to-unlock-new-cellphones/
I think we should all sign this petition

Webstas, none of my post below is directed at you. I can see how it would come off that way. That is not my intention at all.
Let's read a bit more into this. It is NOT going to be illegal for you to unlock your phone. It WILL be if you do it without the permission of your carrier. That means that T-Mobile and AT&T will have to do it for you. For Verizon (and Maybe Sprint but not sure), there is an FCC requirement that any devices utilizing 700MHz for LTE cannot be locked.
In your link, it states:
So what that all means is that, if you have a cellphone right now, you can still unlock it at your leisure and not be breaking the law. But any phone purchased after tomorrow will need to be done so with the permission of your wireless carrier.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Then there is this from Cnet:
Starting this Saturday, it becomes illegal in this great land to unlock a new smartphone without the permission of the carrier that locked it in the first place.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Legacy phones seem to be exempt to this policy for good reason.
Enforceability? I highly doubt you'll get a jail sentence for going to a 3rd party to unlock your phone. Maybe a small $20 penalization on your bill. But really, how could they enforce that? Are the big 4 going to run some algorithm that will scan all of their customers IMEI numbers and ping the mothership when the come across someone that used a hack or 3rd party? I doubt it.
Not saying that there isn't cause for concern at BigBrother again dipping his hand in the cookie jar. But let's not get the pitchforks and torches just yet. Petitions are great ways for people to voice their opinions and great things can happen because of them (ala Change.org and the Verizon $2 "convenience" fee), but they need to be worded correctly and not some rant like many become.
My work filter won't let me look at the petition that you linked, so I am not sure what it says. I work for lawyers, so I tend to think the way they do.

Its true...better get your new phones NOW before this is enacted across the board.
http://news.cnet.com/8301-17938_105...king-of-smartphones-becomes-illegal-saturday/

Plus, T-Mobile makes it pretty easy to request an unlock anyways. For customers on a monthly plan:
- your T-Mobile account is in good standing;
- you have a minimum of 40 consecutive days of active service with T-Mobile;
- you did not request an unlock code in the last 90 days (except in connection with a device exchange or upgrade);
- the device has not been reported as lost or stolen;
- T-Mobile has verified usage of the IMEI applicable to the device; and
the device has been completely paid for.
I just requested the unlock code for my old G2 and got it in about 2 weeks.

I only bought unlocked phones in the past. But since there is only one carrier I intend to do business with, an unlocked or locked T-Mobile phone won't matter to me.

Would this be true for contract bought phones? Or even phones bought without contracts?
Sent from my SGH-T999 using xda app-developers app

It's illegal to download pirated movies, music and software. I'm glad we don't have any of that on the internet anymore.

52me52 said:
Would this be true for contract bought phones? Or even phones bought without contracts?
Sent from my SGH-T999 using xda app-developers app
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
It would be true for every phone, regardless of how it is purchased.
Sent from my SGH-T999 using Tapatalk 2

Woody said:
My work filter won't let me look at the petition that you linked, so I am not sure what it says. I work for lawyers, so I tend to think the way they do.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
your work filter blocks whitehouse.gov? wow thats strict

dodgefan67 said:
your work filter blocks whitehouse.gov? wow thats strict
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
My work blocks EVERY website not applicable to work. And in my line of work, that means we get about 5 sites including our own and our own internal site... Smh. Thank heavens for smartphones
Sent from my SGH-T999 using Tapatalk 2

After I heard about this a couple of days ago and I was driving home from work sort of zoning out and I wondered :
Could websites like this one get into some sort of legal trouble? I'm sure that I am way over thinking this, but a lot of websites specifically show step by step instructions on how to ROOT almost every phone known to man. But then I thought to myself.... Just because something may be against the law, doesn't mean that you can't talk about it or have instructions on how to do such a thing. Okay, now I'm questioning myself after that description. What do you guys think? Will this have any effect on us going into the future?
Sent from my SGH-T999 using xda premium

Rooting and unlocking are different. Unlocking is a very small % of sites like XDA
Sent from my SGH-T999 using Tapatalk 2

se1000 said:
It's illegal to download pirated movies, music and software. I'm glad we don't have any of that on the internet anymore.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Lol
Sent from my SGH-T999 using xda premium

http://www.tmonews.com/2013/01/t-mo...-regarding-dmca-phone-unlocking-restrictions/
Sent from my SGH-T999 using xda premium
---------- Post added at 01:26 AM ---------- Previous post was at 01:18 AM ----------
Sign the petition to stop this from happening.
http://www.droiddog.com/android-blo...ocking-phones-yourself-make-your-voice-heard/
Sent from my SGH-T999 using xda premium

...from what I've read this only affects people who make and use tools to unlock their phones for free without contacting apple/the carrier like the one for the iPhone.
Its my understanding that websites that offer unlock codes for a fee (or just imei unlock in the case of an iPhone) are still going to be legal.
Sent from my SGH-T999 using xda app-developers app

zander21510 said:
...from what I've read this only affects people who make and use tools to unlock their phones for free without contacting apple/the carrier like the one for the iPhone.
Its my understanding that websites that offer unlock codes for a fee (or just imei unlock in the case of an iPhone) are still going to be legal.
Sent from my SGH-T999 using xda app-developers app
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
It's now illegal to unlock your phone whatsoever unless done by the carrier.
Sent from my SGH-T999 using Tapatalk 2

Towle said:
It's now illegal to unlock your phone whatsoever unless done by the carrier.
Sent from my SGH-T999 using Tapatalk 2
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
That doesn't seem right...so say I get an at&t phone on ebay and want to unlock it so I can use it on T-Mobile. Do I have to go beg at&t for them to unlock it now??
Sent from my SGH-T999 using xda app-developers app

zander21510 said:
That doesn't seem right...so say I get an at&t phone on ebay and want to unlock it so I can use it on T-Mobile. Do I have to go beg at&t for them to unlock it now??
Sent from my SGH-T999 using xda app-developers app
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Unfortunately, yes.
Sent from my SGH-T999 using Tapatalk 2

dave2metz said:
http://www.tmonews.com/2013/01/t-mo...-regarding-dmca-phone-unlocking-restrictions/
Sent from my SGH-T999 using xda premium
---------- Post added at 01:26 AM ---------- Previous post was at 01:18 AM ----------
Sign the petition to stop this from happening.
http://www.droiddog.com/android-blo...ocking-phones-yourself-make-your-voice-heard/
Sent from my SGH-T999 using xda premium
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Edit... Waste of time
Sent from my SGH-T999 using Tapatalk 2

T-Mobile will fight this full force. Their newest game plan is to have AT&T customers bring their unlocked phone over to them for use on the T-Mobile network.
As for us current T-Mobile customers, all you have to do is simply call them up and tell them that you are going out of the country for a while. They will give you the unlock code for free within a couple days. T-Mobile is really good about unlocking. Honestly we, as T-Mobile customers, have nothing to worry about with this matter.
(Though I do still agree that this is a total BS law which should be overturned).
Sent from my SGH-T999 using xda app-developers app

No more Boost or Virgin for you.

Damn criminals.
http://abcnews.go.com/m/story?id=18319518
Sent from the Galaxy beast note ll

Thats crazy!
Sent from my SPH-L900 using xda premium

gilbydakid said:
Damn criminals.
http://abcnews.go.com/m/story?id=18319518
Sent from the Galaxy beast note ll
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
devynbf said:
Thats crazy!
Sent from my SPH-L900 using xda premium
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
please go read what the actual law states. this only applies to phones that are still under contract/subsidy. if your 2 year contract has expired you can unlock any phone.

that's not gonna stop anyone

dippedattache said:
that's not gonna stop anyone
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Actually, yes it will.
Carriers are not gonna go after the users (such as myself) but will definitely go after commercial unlockers, like the store I have bought 5 phones from and flashed 6 phones with. I buy the phones unsubsidized, so im ok, but with a possible $500,000 fine and prison time...I dont think my store will continue doing this.
Going to call them tomorrow and see what they say...
Edit: read the docket...im glad I got my note 2 flashed before it went into effect.
Sent from my SPH-L900 using xda premium

yea well obviously the people who do it for commercial reasons it'll stop them ..but like me or you or whoever knows how to unlock a phone is probably gonna do it (for personal use)

Problem is for metropcs...you need retailer access to their database. I can
Change everything on the phone but not add the esn to metro's database. So I have to rely on those commercial people...so my note 3 might have to be on sprint...
Sent from my SPH-L900 using xda premium

Max_Pain said:
Problem is for metropcs...you need retailer access to their database. I can
Change everything on the phone but not add the esn to metro's database. So I have to rely on those commercial people...so my note 3 might have to be on sprint...
Sent from my SPH-L900 using xda premium
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
But isn't that where people just end up using a donor ESN?
Sent from my SPH-L900 using xda premium

I get the ruling, but don't fully agree with the logic used. It centered around the cellphone service providers recouping the subsidy costs the give consumers. I just don't get why they needed it overall, especially for the general consumer, since the contracts state if you leave the carrier, you pay a fee; assuming you don't find a loophole to exploit. If that that fee isn't enough, raise it. As far as I know, there is nothing to say it can't be higher based on the phone purchase. Just has to go down over time. My thinking, make it cost the same as buying the phone unlocked.
At the same time, I wouldn't say Sprint makes phone friendly to switch carriers, compared to others who do not have build in SIM cards.
Personally, it's not going to stop me or that many people. I don't believe most people who unlock do it to change carriers. They're more interested in rooting for the ability to use custom firmware on the same carrier or use other applications.
That said, I can understand where people might be one these phones and try to go with something like Metro. I never looked into the long term costs, so I'm not sure how much money is really saved. The wore part is the ability to see the phone to offset the cost of upgrading to newer model because it limits the buyers to only those who want that same carrier. This may drive the prices even lower.
Without more numbers, I just think this more carriers being scared rather than working with each other so consumers are happy and they can make more money by increase the number of users.

5 Years in Jail for Unlocking a Phone?

Petition Led by Former GOP Staffer
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=tWbsw1yyaz4
thoughts?

exitboon said:
Petition Led by Former GOP Staffer
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=tWbsw1yyaz4
thoughts?
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Read this: http://forum.xda-developers.com/showthread.php?t=2116859

The fcc is against this locked phone thing

Asadullah said:
The fcc is against this locked phone thing
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
So is the white house. I'll grab a link to the email sent to the person who started a petition and got the required signatures and edit it in here in a sec
Edit: read the entire email its kind of long but worth the read http://forum.xda-developers.com/showthread.php?t=2176494
I like to break stuff!

Don't know why they act like the is any reasonable way of stopping rooting to unlocking. There just making me what to do it more so, just by provoking me!
Sent from my SPH-L710 using xda premium

Frostacious said:
Don't know why they act like the is any reasonable way of stopping rooting to unlocking. There just making me what to do it more so, just by provoking me!
Sent from my SPH-L710 using xda premium
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
The law has NOTHING TO DO WITH ROOT. It is about (mainly) carrier unlocking GSM devices to except any SIM and cloning or adding device ESNs to other carriers databases for CDMA, although cloning has technically always been illegal due to poor wording in the original law. It was only intended to be illegal to clone a device to hijack service not to clone your own donor to use on another carrier. However the new law cleared that up as now its illegal to move any locked device from one carrier to another without carrier permission, even if you buy the phone at full retail and aren't on contract.
I like to break stuff!

"Mommy Mommy Mommy Mommy! People are using my phone on another provider! Arrest them for a long time!"
You can get 5 f*****g years for murder. They are trying this for people unlocking phones?
All laws are becoming childish hissy fits along with apple crying about Android gaining on them and trying to make every possible excuse to shut android down.
Sent from my SPH-L710 using xda app-developers app

ReapersDeath said:
"Mommy Mommy Mommy Mommy! People are using my phone on another provider! Arrest them for a long time!"
You can get 5 f*****g years for murder. They are trying this for people unlocking phones?
All laws are becoming childish hissy fits along with apple crying about Android gaining on them and trying to make every possible excuse to shut android down.
Sent from my SPH-L710 using xda app-developers app
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Gaining? Android left apple at the starting line in terms of options, customization and innovation. Why do you think apples crying like a little 5 year old girl who had her pig tails pulled.
I like to break stuff!

Another dumb ass law. Who the **** keep coming up with this bull****?
I love the 90s. Good times.

-EViL-KoNCEPTz- said:
Gaining? Android left apple at the starting line in terms of options, customization and innovation. Why do you think apples crying like a little 5 year old girl who had her pig tails pulled.
I like to break stuff!
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
By gaining, I meant as in net worth and which company is richer and more popular XD for Apple having I phones and their versions of tablets, they make a lot of sales.. But android all together is winning imo
Sent from my SPH-L710 using xda app-developers app

Everyone roots their phone. I haven't met anyone with an android phone that doesn't have their phone rooted.

I'm all for making it legal to jail break... But wouldn't this drive up the price of smart phones quite a bit? The reason phones like the galaxy s3 are so cheap is because sprint has us locked into contracts that LEGALLY we can only use our device for... Key word, legally.
Sprint would likely charge full price regardless of contract renewal?
Sent from my SPH-L710 using xda premium

RealTic said:
I'm all for making it legal to jail break... But wouldn't this drive up the price of smart phones quite a bit? The reason phones like the galaxy s3 are so cheap is because sprint has us locked into contracts that LEGALLY we can only use our device for... Key word, legally.
Sent from my SPH-L710 using xda premium
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Jailbreaking and rooting should not be confused with unlocking. The first two (jailbreak and root) are both legal, while unlocking was made illegal only recently
Unlocking is using your phone on a carrier that it was not activated for
Jailbreaking and rooting essentially give you access to everything on your phone - the equivalent of being an administrator on your computer

CNexus said:
Jailbreaking and rooting should not be confused with unlocking. The first two (jailbreak and root) are both legal, while unlocking was made illegal only recently
Unlocking is using your phone on a carrier that it was not activated for
Jailbreaking and rooting essentially give you access to everything on your phone - the equivalent of being an administrator on your computer
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Ah, I see.
sent using my galaxy s3 running liquid smooth rc2

RealTic said:
Ah, I see.
sent using my galaxy s3 running liquid smooth rc2
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Yup, I think that rooting was made illegal for tablets only in the last round of DCMA exceptions...all because the Library of Congress felt that the lawyers' definition for tablet did not encompass everything that tablets were and so was not appropriate

Replacement phone T-Mobile? Refurbished?

My friend is on contract on T-Mobile he got the note 2 a month ago and he told ordered two replacement refurbished note 2's then he's done with T-Mobile he ain't sending it back or nothing just done paying it and keeping the phones. I told him he can get into trouble for that he can right?? Or does it just mess up his credit? He did it three years ago and nothing happened besides probably bad credit now.
I know a lot of people on Craigslist be getting new phones without battery and back piece and I once bought one and it wouldn't read my Sim card because he never paid it I'm guessing.

The phone will black listed, side note I exchange phones a bunch due to defects or little things Tmobile is becoming much more strict about what they will exchange abs are now charging $5-$20 to process exchanges I wouldn't be surprised if a bill is coming his way soon
Sent from my SGH-T889 using xda app-developers app

But what else will happen since he done paying and not sending the phones back?

shaqqq said:
But what else will happen since he done paying and not sending the phones back?
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
They may bill for a full cost of a replacement phone. I used to work for a t-mobile dealer LONG time ago (9 years ago) and they did the same thing. If we had a customer walk in, we process an exchange on their behalf. But we tell them if they don't send original phone back, they will be getting a large bill. And few people did. T-Mobile does work with them, and will take the charges out if you return the phone.

The phones will be blacklisted. If he sells them the new owner is screwed. Maybe he is Ok with that. If he is, find another friend as this guy proved himself to be a slime ball.
Hastily spouted for your befuddlement

shaqqq said:
But what else will happen since he done paying and not sending the phones back?
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
You ever see "bad esn" in an ebay auction description for a cell phone...that is what your buddy's phones will have. They can pretty much can be used as a wifi mini tablet, unless he is able to flash the phone to another gsm carrier. Regardless goes against his credit also.

Not true T-Mobile uses sim cards you can do what ever except. For warranty. I know a bit about this subject but the problem with things like this is once people start talking in a public forum than can screw everybody.
Sent from my SGH-I317 using xda premium

diamantericos said:
Not true T-Mobile uses sim cards you can do what ever except. For warranty. I know a bit about this subject but the problem with things like this is once people start talking in a public forum than can screw everybody.
Sent from my SGH-I317 using xda premium
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Again, not true. The phone WILL be blacklisted and won't work in the country unless you take it overseas maybe. How do I know? I deal with craigslist people and ebay listings for a meager living.

Phones will be blacklisted with Tmobile, Simple mobile and AT&T he will also be billed $600 for not returning the defective phone. The phones they send him will be factory refurbished which means it's just the phone there will be no battery, battery cover, Spen or charger.
Sent from my SGH-T889 using xda premium

What happens if he doesn't pay that?
Sent from my SAMSUNG-SGH-I317 using xda app-developers app

What are you trying to figure out here?
If T-Mobile will send the police knocking if you don't pay?
Its probably the same as all of the pathetic dead beat people who think its OK to steal and don't think they should have to pay bills like the rest of us.
He'll have bad credit (which won't matter to him because he's apparently OK with stealing things anyway) and he'll get away with it for the most part while the rest of us law abiding citizens will continue to pay more for goods and services and more to cover for selfish people like this!!
:-/
Sore spot issue....
Sent From My Ginormous Note 2

woops wrong thread....

He's clearly talking about himself lol I love it when they get on here and do this. It's like the typical "dad I need your advice..... I have a friend who's......" when all along he's talking about himself. Smh stop stealing and taking advantage of warranties.
Sent from my SGH-T889 using xda app-developers app

yungtexas said:
He's clearly talking about himself lol I love it when they get on here and do this. It's like the typical "dad I need your advice..... I have a friend who's......" when all along he's talking about himself. Smh stop stealing and taking advantage of warranties.
Sent from my SGH-T889 using xda app-developers app
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Lol it's not me but if you want to think so it's whatever. I have Sprint not TMobile anyways. I am worried about my friend that's why I'm asking. Don't be immature about it.
Sent from my SPH-L720 using Tapatalk 4 Beta

shaqqq said:
Lol it's not me but if you want to think so it's whatever. I have Sprint not TMobile anyways. I am worried about my friend that's why I'm asking. Don't immature be about it.
Sent from my SPH-L720 using Tapatalk 4 Beta
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Sent from my SPH-L720 using Tapatalk 4 Beta

shaqqq said:
Sent from my SPH-L720 using Tapatalk 4 Beta
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Says the guy who's associated with a thief! Right, so scums like him can benefit a small portion whole the rest of us decent people pay for it! Then you'll be back here complaining about how much the deductible is for a flagship phone.
Sent from my SGH-T889 using xda app-developers app

yungtexas said:
Says the guy who's associated with a thief! Right, so scums like him can benefit a small portion whole the rest of us decent people pay for it! Then you'll be back here complaining about how much the deductible is for a flagship phone.
Sent from my SGH-T889 using xda app-developers app
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Lol why you getting angry smh. Because you know you being immature.
Sent from my SPH-L720 using Tapatalk 4 Beta

shaqqq said:
Lol why you getting angry smh. Because you know you being immature.
Sent from my SPH-L720 using Tapatalk 4 Beta
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
What you're talking about is theft and fraud. You're not going to get any help on criminal activity from anyone here. Nobody is going to give you advice on how to avoid going to jail. In fact, simply talking about it could implicate you for aiding and abeting and now there is proof all over the internet. Good luck.

tony yayo said:
What you're talking about is theft and fraud. You're not going to get any help on criminal activity from anyone here. Nobody is going to give you advice on how to avoid going to jail. In fact, simply talking about it could implicate you for aiding and abeting and now there is proof all over the internet. Good luck.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Lol ok. Your mad because your being immature. You still think it's me obviously. You must be a little kid.

Judgibg by the way you present yourself id say theres a good chance your friend is a hood rat wanna be thug, his credit will be hit and depending on how much he owes it could become a legal matter, this is wjy people like yall cant have nice things
Sent from my SGH-T889 using Tapatalk 2