Wireless phone users have received an unexpected gift from the U.S. Copyright Office.
A new ruling by the Copyright Office allows wireless phone users to break software locks inserted into their handsets by carriers such as Verizon and Cingular.
Carriers typically use the software locks to keep consumers from using their handsets on competing wireless networks. Although it is unclear how the ruling will ultimately play out for consumers, it is potentially a very big deal. As long as they own their phones, consumers now appear to have the clear right to break the software locks and use that equipment on any wireless network they choose.
In essence, the Copyright Office decided consumers aren't able to enjoy full legal use of their wireless phones due to the software locks, which typically block access to the handsets’ operating programs.
The new rules go into effect on December 1 and are to stay in place for three years, according to the Copyright Office, which is a branch of the Library of Congress.
In explaining the ruling, the Copyright Office said the “underlying activity sought to be performed by the owner of the handset is to allow the handset to do what it was manufactured to do—lawfully connect to any carrier. The purpose of the software lock appears to be limited to restricting the owner's use of the mobile handset to support a business model, rather than to protect access to a copyrighted work itself.”
PC Magazine has a nice explanation of the new rules and their potential impact on consumers, which you can read by clicking here.
You can read the whole ruling at the Copyright Office web site by clicking here.
