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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]
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wrote, on October 11th, 2007
Hi Thilak,
Personally, I have never considered Apple to be much different from Microsoft or other producers accused of monopolizing. In fact, Microsoft might be better.
I grant that they are very good innovators, but their products are grossly overpriced. For example, slashing prices of iPhone by $200 …
I cant imagine Nokia tying you down to Airtel in India ….
wrote, on October 11th, 2007
It does seem illegal to completely control who you use a phone carrier. People who have the iPhone have no control over how much they have to pay to AT&T. Maybe this suit will put a little more control back into the hands of the consumer.
wrote, on October 11th, 2007
I wonder why they manufactured a quadband phone which essentially is to be tied up with only AT &T. Is it that they are going to launch it in other countries forcing you tie with specific service providers. Their designs are definitely anti-consumer and I see that the day is not too far when Nokia, SE, HTC, HP will comee out with a better device and not ask you to buy their partner service. The iPHONE will be dead like many other apple products are nearly anywhere in the world.
wrote, on October 11th, 2007
well i belive the consumer are all ways geting riped of by companys and the govement so i think ever one should have choice to unblock there phone and use who is offering the best deals.
wrote, on October 12th, 2007
[...] Apple sued over iphone bricking by TechBuzz [...]
wrote, on October 15th, 2007
I was definitely expecting this to happen. I think this guy suing Apple actually has a shot at winning. This really is making a sort of monopoly.