Apple warned iPhone users to stop unlocking, or face "bricking. Many considered this as just a scare tactic, but when Apple released 1.1.1 firmware update, several unlocked iPhones actually stopped working. Apple Inc is now facing a class action lawsuit for unlawfully bricking unlocked iPhones. A California man, Timothy Smith, filed a lawsuit alleging Apple of violating antitrust laws by forcing iPhone buyers to use AT&T as their wireless carrier and disabling phones which have been unlocked to work with other wireless carriers.
The suit is seeking Apple to be banned from selling locked iPhones, and provide service warranty for the owners of unlocked iPhones and demands unspecified cash damages. According to the plaintiff, Apple instructed its retail employees to refuse service to customers who experienced bad effects from its newest iPhone update, regardless of the truth that it was technically possible to restore the device from the effects of the iPhone software update 1.1.1. He also alleges Apple for tell its spokespeople to suggest customers affected by the update to stop seeking help and "buy a new iPhone."
Unlocking mobile phones are perfectly legal under both normal copyright law and the Digital Millennium Copyright Act. I think the lawsuit makes a valid point. I’m not a lawyer, but I believe restricting customers to just one wireless carrier is totally unfair. I’d like to hear what you think!
[Via: ComputerWorld]
Discussion
Comments for “Apple Sued over iPhone Bricking”