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U.S. Declares iPhone Jailbreaking Legal, Over Apples Objections


By David Kravets Cracks July 26, 2010 | 11:47 am | Categories: Copyrights and Patents, Hacks and
dmkravets 1,953 followers

Federal regulators lifted a cloud of uncertainty when they announced it was lawful to hack or jailbreak an iPhone, declaring Monday there was no basis for copyright law to assist Apple in protecting its restrictive business model. Jailbreaking is hacking the phones OS to allow consumers to run any app on the phone they choose, including applications not authorized by Apple. The Electronic Frontier Foundation asked regulators 19 months ago to add jailbreaking to a list of explicit exemptions to the Digital Millennium Copyright Acts anti-circumvention provisions.

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U.S. Declares iPhone Jailbreaking Legal, Over Apples Objections | ... http://www.wired.com/threatlevel/2010/07/feds-ok-iphone-jailbreaking/

At stake for Apple is the very closed business model the company has enjoyed since 2007, when the iPhone debuted. Apple says its unlawful to jailbreak, (.pdf) but has not taken legal action against the millions who have jailbroken their phones and used the underground app store Cydia. Apple maintains that its closed marketplace is what made the success of the iPhone possible, and sold more than three billion apps. Apple also told regulators that the nations cellphone networks could suffer potentially catastrophic cyberattacks by iPhone-wielding hackers at home and abroad (.pdf) if iPhone owners are permitted to legally jailbreak their shiny wireless devices. Every three years, the Librarian of Congress and the Copyright Office entertain proposed exemptions to the DMCA, passed in 1998. The act forbids circumventing encryption technology to copy or modify copyrighted works. In this instance, Apple claimed the DMCA protects the copyrighted encryption built into the bootloader that starts up the iPhone OS operating system. But the Copyright Office concluded that, while a copyright owner might try to restrict the programs that can be run on a particular operating system, copyright law is not the vehicle for imposition of such restrictions. A federal appeals court came to the same conclusion last week in an unrelated dispute about dongles, or keys that grant access to software. The owners technological measure must protect the copyrighted material against an infringement of a right that the Copyright Act protects, not from mere use or viewing, (.pdf) the 5th U.S. Circuit Court of Appeals ruled in a case concerning a software licensing flap between MGE UPS Systems and GE Consumer and Industrial. Jay Freeman, who runs Cydia, said about nine million iPhones have his alternative marketplace installed on their phones. If there was something on the books that jailbreaking was not exempt, that would be painful, Freeman said. The Dev-Team, one of the main groups offering free iPhone hacks, declared Mondays development as fantastic news. Mario Ciabarra, chief technical officer of Rock Your Phone, which sells an application to turn an iPhone into a Wi-Fi hotspot, said the the Copyright Offices decision is a big win for consumers and applications developers and has given the jailbreak community the legitimacy it deserves. Apple told regulators that modifying the iPhone operating system leads to the creation of an infringing derivative work that is protected by copyright law. The Cupertino-based computer maker also claimed that the license on the operating system forbids software modification. Mondays decision, (.pdf) which applies to all mobile smart phones and not the iPad, does not require Apple or other handset makers to allow jailbreaking. Instead, it makes it lawful to circumvent controls designed to block jailbreaking. In an April security bulletin, Apple said Unauthorized modification of iPhone OS has been a major source of instability, disruption of services, and other issues. The EFF contended that the iPhones embedded protection system was implemented by Apple as a business decision to prevent competition and is unrelated to copyright interests. Jailbreaking, the EFF maintained, constitutes fair use of the firmware tied to the operating system.

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U.S. Declares iPhone Jailbreaking Legal, Over Apples Objections | ... http://www.wired.com/threatlevel/2010/07/feds-ok-iphone-jailbreaking/

Regulators agreed, declaring Monday that the activity of an iPhone owner who modifies his or her iPhones firmware/operating system in order to make it interoperable with an application that Apple has not approved, but that the iPhone owner wishes to run on the iPhone, fits comfortably within the four corners of fair use. Apple spokeswoman Natalie Kerris said Apple wont change its policy that voids iPhone warranties if a phone has been jailbroken. It can violate the warranty and cause the iPhone to become unstable and not work reliably, she said. Here is a how-to and legal primer on the issue. Other exemptions to the DMCA announced Monday include: *allow the unlocking of mobile phones to change carriers. *allow the cracking of video game digital rights management controls to probe security flaws. *allow the breaking of DVD encryption by professors, students and documentary makers so the clips can be used for education and commentary. *allow the blind to circumvent locks on e-books to enable read-aloud features. *allow the bypassing of broken or irreplaceable dongles. Last updated at 2:15 p.m. eastern. Photo: Patrick H. Lauke See Also: iPhone Jailbreak Videos: A Legal Primer and a How-To DMCA Exemption Unlikely for iPad Jailbreak iPhone Jailbreaking Could Crash Cellphone Towers, Apple Claims Student Arrested for Jailbreaking Game Consoles Update Apple Accused of Stifling Speech About the iPod, iPhone David Kravets is a senior staff writer for Wired.com and founder of the fake news site TheYellowDailyNews.com. He's a dad of two boys and has been a reporter since the manual typewriter days. Follow @dmkravets on Twitter. Tags: Cydia, hack, iphone, jailbraking Post Comment | Permalink 4 people liked this.
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U.S. Declares iPhone Jailbreaking Legal, Over Apples Objections | ... http://www.wired.com/threatlevel/2010/07/feds-ok-iphone-jailbreaking/

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Steve Jobs needs to take Acid again.

Some of the comments here are so stooopid -- as if the company only had the one (Copyright) leg to stand on -- it is the EULA that will keep the vast majority of iPhone users from risking their phone's usability & utility -- outside of nerd world, not many real people care two figs about any of the things that you folks get so upset about -- calling Apple fascists or communists or similar only serves as an indication of your juvenile misunderstanding of actual life beyond the basements of your parents' homes -- why on Earth would any of you feel that this is good for anyone ? -- it does not 'allow' for the jail-breaking, and the only real 'freedom' issue here is your freedom to buy another product.

This is a HUGE win for owners of any kind of smartphone, not just iPhone users! . However, this is also a HUGE loss for Apple. I bet the number of jailbroken iPhones doubles by years end as a result of this, and Apple will have less revenue as a result.

timinboey said: "Once hacked, is an iPhone the ultimate phone, making it worth all this
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U.S. Declares iPhone Jailbreaking Legal, Over Apples Objections | ... http://www.wired.com/threatlevel/2010/07/feds-ok-iphone-jailbreaking/

bruhaha?" Overall, I would say that the answer to this question is "Yes". Although, I suspect the Android market will grow immensely in the next few years and probably surpass Apple's iPhone in all categories. BTW, have you ever played with a jailbroken phone? It's all the Apple could be if it allowed more user interaction and customization. Apple makes decent machines, but all the restrictions make it unattractive to me and many others. I can understand that you would not want a jailbroken phone if you are not very tech savvy and just want the basic functions, however, if you are part of the percentage of the population who enjoys the ability to customize your phone as you wish, a jailbroken phone is delightful. There are many that cannot imagine going back to the plain old boring layout and choices given by the iPhone's out-of-box OS after playing with a jailbroken phone. It simply is not as much fun. So, sure, an iPhone is perfectly functional out of the box...but some of us can't have fun without coloring outside the lines!

It's funny that "freedom" is such a buzzword in the USA, yet companies are so eager to deny people the freedom to modify equipment they've paid for. Yeah, I know. It's for their own safety. Right.

This is actually an issue over property ownership. Who *really* does the phone belong to and can you do what you want with your property? I had no choice to but to jailbreak my iPhone in Afghanistan.

Non-jailbroken iPhone = Apple is responsible for anything your phone does or doesn't do

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U.S. Declares iPhone Jailbreaking Legal, Over Apples Objections | ... http://www.wired.com/threatlevel/2010/07/feds-ok-iphone-jailbreaking/

within the system. That includes monetary liabilities. Jailbroken iPhone = YOU are responsible for anything your phone does or doesn't do within the system. That includes monetary liabilities. However, if Apple bricks your iPhone after you jail-break it, I imagine there would be some legal repercussions to doing so. They can legally refuse to service it, update it, and will most certainly block access to their app store. But if they brick your phone (kill it through software) and you suddenly need your phone for a 911 call, yeah, Apple would be held responsible in a lawsuit since jail-breaking an iPhone is now legal. Just remember, once you jail-break your iPhone, you can't blame Apple for anything your iPhone does.

The comments here raise some really good questions in follow-up to this decision that will need to be clarified eventually. @timinboey - while jailbreaking probably violates the EULA/license, enforcing that in court would be extremely difficult for Apple, imho. Apple would have to prove that the EULA even is enforceable, for one, which not all courts accept, they would have to prove that it specifically applies to jailbreaking for two, which isn't specifically mentioned, and they would have to prove DAMAGES for three, or how they monetarily are hurt by an individual's jailbreaking actions. These seem problematic to me, although I'm not an expert. Not to mention that they would be crucified for doing such a bone-headed thing as suing their own users. A bigger question is the inevitable counterresponse by Apple and device makers. Will they seek to go nuclear and create devices with 'efuse' type technology that refuses to load or even bricks your phone if you install something non-approved? Apple seems actually easier to hack than Motorola at this point, although that's not Google's fault - the carriers and device makers are dinosaurs. Can Apple legally auto-update to brick phones that are jailbroken? How much mischief can be done without causing a counter-suit for breach of warranty or something else, like the one being brought against Sony for removing the 'other OS' option? There's a lot left to debate. I'm disappointed, though, that this seems to be a 'manufacturers v consumers' battle - why don't they want our goodwill? The anti-jailbreaking arguments are all bogus - they would all apply equally to the ordinary computer, which causes horrible system attacks via botnets and spam and identity theft left and right and NOBODY is suggesting that we 'close' the PC. That would cut down on most of the spam on the internet but we accept it as violating our rights - why should cell

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U.S. Declares iPhone Jailbreaking Legal, Over Apples Objections | ... http://www.wired.com/threatlevel/2010/07/feds-ok-iphone-jailbreaking/

phone computers be any different?

for those who decry Apple's "closed" business model...you seem to either have forgotten, or perhaps never been aware of...that before the iPhone, cell phones & their features were practically non-existent thanks to the tyranny of service providers restricting nearly every feature...aside from dialing. it's bizarre that anyone would wish to see Apple disappear. They have an excellent product line, they have an excellent OS. Further, in many, many ways they have revolutionized everything from the world of graphic design to digital music delivery. OS X -alone- makes Apple excellent, imho. Would all ya'll really MS have the only mass produced OS on the market? If you can honestly say yes, then damn...it's you who are on the kool-aid & drunk on MS's RDF. as far as jailbreaking goes...Why do you care, Apple? Sure, I know you want us end-users to have a controlled environment up to your standards of quality & usability. But, when I jailbreak, I know full well that I & I alone take a risk when I step away from your controlled parameters. Wasn't it Jobs, or was it Woz, or some other Homebrewer maybe?, who said computers were created so people could do whatever they wanted..outside the tyranny of the likes of Big Blue's sterile universe? anyway...blah blah.

I thing this judgment is great for consumers!!!! And to all the "Apple is right and only has your best interests" people out there all I have to say is It is a FACT that after you bought your Iphone for $400.00+ and it got STOLEN, APPLE COULD EASILY locate and inform the LAW ENFORCEMENT AUTHORITIES of the location of the computer that is used to update,and download their precious apps!! but then if they did that you wouldn't have to go buy another Iphone and they would loose money. Apple Claims that the reason they won't do this is because they don't want to be Big Brother, but at the same time they want to control any and everything you put on "their" device. Open your EYES people, IT's all about MONEY and not personal freedom or "stability" or "Security" issues!!!!!!!!!!

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U.S. Declares iPhone Jailbreaking Legal, Over Apples Objections | ... http://www.wired.com/threatlevel/2010/07/feds-ok-iphone-jailbreaking/

There should be no smartphone jail to start with. It should be illegal because it infringes on consumer freedom.

Apple will just re-incorporate their business formally as a religion (after all, it /is/ a cult, isn't it?) and then they can get away with whatever they like. Freedom of religion, you see?

@halms - "majority of jailbreakers have illegally downloaded paid app for free" . Really? Where did you get that stat? I have used a jailbroken device for over 2 years now never once installed a stolen app. I've helped numerous others set up their jailbroken devices not for stealing, but for customizing the phone/mp3 player they paid for. In fact, I know only 1 person with cracked apps on his iPhone out of at least 20... I don't consider that a "majority". . PLEASE PEOPLE - JAILBREAKING AND STEALING APPS ARE TWO DIFFERENT THINGS. I've even paid for Cydia apps that had features I wanted long before Apple rolled them out (landscape texting, for one). If you want to argue the stability issue, we can have that discussion (which will end in me telling you to quit whining and don't jailbreak your phone), but those of us who choose to jailbreak and get the most out of our personal property should be able to without the threat of legal repercussion.

Unauthorized modification of iPhone OS has been a major source of instability, disruption of services, and other issues. ... Apple was not immediately prepared to comment.

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U.S. Declares iPhone Jailbreaking Legal, Over Apples Objections | ... http://www.wired.com/threatlevel/2010/07/feds-ok-iphone-jailbreaking/

. Nor, apparently, to present one shred of evidence to back up its claim. Spiceweasel has already mentioned the known (ie Apple) sources of instability so there must be a lot to make jailbreaking a "major source". . We're waiting...

pradhanavs | 07/26/10 | 1:18 pm | Well, this is good news for all the security companies who can launch new products legally now that more people will jail break and expose their phones to security issues.. ----------------------------------------------counterpoint: i have a jailbroken device and have yet to encounter any issues with security that did not come from 'apple approved' sources such as their very own indiscriminate app store, or customer info revealed by poor security at at&t and/or apple. how about those hacked accounts that apple suggested the user was at fault and not their infallible system? and people wonder why there might be people out there with concerns about posting a credit card number to their account. nothing is perfect, nothing comes for free, somehow you'll still live another day despite my dirty, jailbreaking, 'gotta-be-a-pirate' ways. as an aside, i really do enjoy the basic hardware and software available for the device line of ipod touch/iphone/ipad. these are forward looking devices that, unfortunately, are locked into a poorly considered (personal perspective; obviously profits are all most care about) walled garden.

Don't worry, I'm sure Steve and friends will just lobby (aka bribe) some Congressmen to pass a law explicitly making it illegal.

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U.S. Declares iPhone Jailbreaking Legal, Over Apples Objections | ... http://www.wired.com/threatlevel/2010/07/feds-ok-iphone-jailbreaking/

WOW. This is so awesome that it actually restores a bit of my faith in government as representatives of the people and not the corporations. This is an awesome precedent - it suggests that the efforts of the teams rooting and jailbreaking their devices, iOS and Android alike, are perfectly legal and actually an expression of the user's lawful right to use their purchased device in a non-infringing way. Let's hope it's a crack in the wall of closed mobile phone policies industry wide.

The programming community for Cydia, and all the other wonderful freeware should be respected for their hard work ( who cares wherever it was, in their parent's basement, apartment, condo, ect). So what if Jailbreaking makes your ipod/iphone more vulneable to other parties. Are you not aware that the non-jailbroken iphone tracks and sends a lot of personal info back to Apple? Pick your poison...at least the Jailbreaking community have a good cause and aren't exploiting their users for more $$$.

If Apple doesn't want people to jailbreak. then they have to enable disk mode on iPod's in a easy way like other Nokia phones, so people don't have to jailbreak. I know that Americans are greedy people. But about technology restrictions...This goes way too far. You cannot limit stuff to people, the most important thing is to have fun, not money always.

Why jailbreak? Because Apple screwed up, and you only discover that after using the damn thing. Software seems specifically designed to delete voice memos, the more important the more likely it is to lose them. Since there is no file browsing allowed the only solution is jailbreak. That, and how galling Apple's greed and lack of response is, and the fact that I don't have money to throw away on buying a device with better software, makes jailbreaking

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necessary. Apple does it.

This is a step in the right direction, however companies will still not download and use third party applications such as TextGuard to archive their SMS messages since the warranty will be voided out from Apple. Additionally, when dealing with compliance issues, the word "jailbroken" just doesn't "sit well".

And fraud connected to information mined from jailbroken iPhones skyrockets in 3....2....1...http://bit.ly/9ZKTpp

This is very great news! I for myself can't live without apps like SBSettings and Firewall iP. Especially Firewall iP from CydiaStore, which can stop Apps from sending out data and even block ads :D I feel safer with that tool. What are your favorite Cydia Apps?

This may impact Google and Microsoft more than Apple. FIrstly, this change doesn't actually make it make it 'legal', whatever that means, to jailbreak a phone. It removes one particular legal obstacle in doing so, which was an implied copyright infringement if you hacked the security. It does not give you a a free pass to actually copy code as part of the jailbreak. It does not give you a waver from the contracts that you have agreed to, as a user, including to

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not reverse engineer parts of the system. But that aside, what impact does this have on Apple. Apple has a pretty simple relationship with the iPhone user. They charge a premium price for a premium phone, hardware and software. While Apple manages the device and applications available for it in a way that some find an issue, for most users this is actually a major blessing in that it minimises worry about malware. For those who wanted an iPhone, but have found this unacceptable, then jail-breaking has been available for some time. It is noticeable that Apple was done little to prevent this, they have only discouraged it. They have not prosecuted the originators of the hacks, in fact in some cases they appear to have employed them. They have not changed they keys with each release of the software. They've not done any number of things that they could have done to deliberately disadvantage users who have jail-broken. Because if a few competent users choose to take responsibility for maybe bricking their phones, well thats up to them. Apple have been paid and need take no responsibility for the consequences. If this takes off in a bigger way, I think that Apple's main concern will simply be to leave no ambiguity in the relationship. i.e. that once you jail-break then Apple is not responsible for any problems that you may have. Thats down to the people who supplied the jail-break. Yes, Jail-break software providers. If what you are doing isn't illegal, then you are much more likely to actually get sued by the people who have problems - disclaimers or not. However, what about Microsoft. Presumably if I have a legal copy of XP and Microsoft wont activate it, because they say I've done so too often, or because they want to force me to Vista/7/whatever, then by the same logic I am entitled to break the security on XP in order to action my right to continue to use it. Obviously we can't all do this so presumably we can share the break around. That'll cut down on take up of new WIndows revisions! What about Google

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Google are putting a lot of effort into their 'free' phone system, Android. They don't have the simple customer relationship that Apple has. They presumably assume that they will make their money later by using the system to channel users through their search engines to their adverts. They appear to retain the ability to control the form of Android that goes out to end users, and therefore the ability, once they have build their market share with Mr Nice freebies, to lock down the browsers and search engines that users can easily access. So, brainwash-breaking for Android phones that, say, block the phone's ability to waste bandwidth picking up advertising, would be OK too. That might be seriously popular on a mobile device and might remove 100% of Googles return for investing in Android in the first place. Just a thought.

Quote: "... cause the iPhone to become unstable and not work reliably, she said." With at least 11 defects on delivery what else could more "unstable and not work reliably"? Sense finally is coming from the Federal government!

Great news! It's my iphone, I can do with it what I wish. I own a Jeep, if I want to modify, I don't need Fiat's permission.

@RevBobDobbs23 . ever hear of windows mobile? apps (they were called applications then) were available for that

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device long before the iPhone rumors even existed. . I'll grant you that without Apple, smartphones wouldn't be as prolific as they are now, I mean, there are what 40 million iPhones? there'd be 40 million moto razr phones in its place, and sure Android would still be out, but I bet it wouldn't have come to market quite as soon, and winmo 7 would look very different than it is going to.

That "1984" Apple TV commercial seemed like an ironic joke back when it aired. It seems even more ironic in 2011.

This just makes me want to party. The FIRST bit of actual logic has finally implanted itself in copyright law!!!!!! This is monumental! May common sense spread! This made my day... and I don't even have a stupid iPhone... =)

Is there video of the part of the proceedings where they talk about dongles? Dongles dongles dongles.

MACTARDS eat mahferdoms!!!!!

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U.S. Declares iPhone Jailbreaking Legal, Over Apples Objections | ... http://www.wired.com/threatlevel/2010/07/feds-ok-iphone-jailbreaking/

Its nice to see someone strike a blow at the evil dictator steve Jobs, who has become the bad guy he once claimed to be against. He has betrayed his original stance on freedom of usage. Steve Jobs is guilty as his proxy company FoxConn is of unacceptably taking advantage of comminunist slave labor in China, as he is of disinfranchising American workers in the name of Profits for Apple Corp. And yes all phones should be open, you shouldnt have a drawer full of wasted old phones simply because the providers have been allowed to dictate what hardware we use. Not only is it clearly a scam, but a shameful waste of hardware. Shame on you Apple.

Apple's 'closed business model' does indeed go back as far as the beginning of the company with the restrictions of Apple based Operating-systems being restricted to Apple hardware (with the exception of a very brief experimentation with licensed 3rd party hardware in the early 90s). Does this decision have any legal implications for Apple's overall closed business model and their non-iphone OS or is the legal decision really applicable only to iphones?

Apple can suck it!!!

Follow up thought: If you need to jailbreak your iPhone, why did you buy it? If it doesn't do what you want, won't run the apps you want, you hate the closed Apple system, you hate Steve, you hate fruit entirely, why did you buy one? Why did you not choose an Android or one of the many other smartphones with their own systems that are available? People complain about ATT, then they hate Apple, but then they go buy an iPhone so they can complain that they can't hack it to make it what they want? Once hacked, is an iPhone the ultimate phone, making it worth all this bruhaha?

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U.S. Declares iPhone Jailbreaking Legal, Over Apples Objections | ... http://www.wired.com/threatlevel/2010/07/feds-ok-iphone-jailbreaking/

I believe this shakes down thusly: You're not violating copyright law by jailbreaking your phone. Any phone, Apple or otherwise. However, you very well MAY be violating the license agreement you agreed to when you bought/activated the phone, which is a contract legal issue, and not a criminal legal issue (which is what jailbreaking was until now -- a legal criminal issue). So, once you break that agreement I imagine Apple would have the right to sue users who break the contract (not that they would, and not that it would be feasible to do so) because changes in law do NOT dictate changes in contract agreements. So even though you are no longer greaking copyright law, you ARE breaking a legal agreement to which you agreed. Further, the second you jailbreak the phone breaking that agreement, Apple no longer has any interest in your phone and will stop supporting it, under warranty or in any other way, and may indeed no longer offer you system updates, and may in fact offer updates that will disable your jailbroke phone, thereby locking you into whatever system you happen to be running at the time you hacked your phone. Yes, jailbreaking opens your phone to considerable greater security risk as well. Despite the hundreds who will no doubt post that their hacked phones continue to work just fine. I have every right to put a Chevrolet fuel injection system on my Ford, but Ford no longer has to warranty it, support it, nor provide a computer system that will run it. Yeah. that'll be better.

Whoooah! Apple has lost control of their business model?! Apple's secret success with the iPhone revolved around being a closed system. Now that part of their business model is ilegall and must be open, Apple is in total confusion and their foundation is falling apart! Investors appear to agree. APPL stocks are slightly sinking.

@sampleguy, no one said 'freedom' meant there were no rules. Don't be a 'that guy'. Having said that (it was ridiculous): Another poop sandwich for Mr. Jobs.

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U.S. Declares iPhone Jailbreaking Legal, Over Apples Objections | ... http://www.wired.com/threatlevel/2010/07/feds-ok-iphone-jailbreaking/

I think it's ironic - now that an iPad is more open-source, you might actually see an INCREASE in sales revenue for Apple as more people might buy such niche hardware for very niche software purposes now that they can write their own.

jailbreaking is an excuse to get free apps. although there are ethical users, majority of jailbreakers have illegally downloaded paid app for free. most never even bought an app. most ppl i met that jailbreak, never buy apps. in fact, they were actually shocked to know that someone actually bought apps for iphone. anyway, i think apple should just let ppl jailbreak their ios devices. once someone bought it, it belongs to the owner. like cars, if you mod the engine, the warranty expires. just dont support jailbroken devices.

Motytrah is correct. There's nothing to stop APPLE from bricking a jailbroken phone at every update and refresh. You can jailbreak the phone without breaking copyright law, and many will to run systems they write themselves. This may even result in another pop in sales, now to the residual waiting jailbreakers. But broken phones won't run APPLE software in the long run. APPLE will see to that. Fear that next system refresh. :-)

The license still stands, but Apple doesn't have civil or criminal copyright law to go after people. This wouldn't stop Apple from banning you from updates and the App store. Nor would this stop Apple from refusing to honor the warranty.

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U.S. Declares iPhone Jailbreaking Legal, Over Apples Objections | ... http://www.wired.com/threatlevel/2010/07/feds-ok-iphone-jailbreaking/

Strike 1 - AntennaGate Strike 2 - AntennaGate Mud Slinging Strike 3 - Jailbreaking Mighty joboi has struck out.... NEXT! NANANANANANANA HEY HEY GOODBYE ! NANANANA HEY HEY GOODBYE! And good riddance...

@dcx_2 I'm quite certain, blocking someone's right to do something opens you up to lawsuits that you will almost certainly lose. While I don't think it can lead to criminal charges, although it might, Apple it lose a lot of money if it tries to stop you from jailbreaking your phone now.

I like jailbating too! I mean..breaking.

BTW -- this 'closed business model' goes back much further than 2007. Try 1979.

Whether or not they support jailbreaking or not is immaterial to me; their attempt to claim legal authority and speak for law enforcement is morally repugnant and, to be honest, reveals a

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U.S. Declares iPhone Jailbreaking Legal, Over Apples Objections | ... http://www.wired.com/threatlevel/2010/07/feds-ok-iphone-jailbreaking/

real Fascist mindset.

Well, this is good news for all the security companies who can launch new products legally now that more people will jail break and expose their phones to security issues..

On the one hand, they can actively support jailbreaking. However, this might be a waste of precious resources. . On the other hand, they could actively deny jailbreaking. Release updates designed to stop jailbreaks (or worse, brick them) . I would prefer a middle-of-the-road choice. Don't try to help or hurt jail breakers. Let them do their own thing, and instead focus your resources on new products.

Jailbraking or Jailbreaking ?

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