Information Society Watch

September 4, 2007, BBC News Service

This article talks about the legal implications of unlocking phones which are locked in to a specific service provider specially citing the instance of the 'iPhone' which is a case in point. Consumer groups point out that this practice of forcing customers to stick to a certain service provider is extremely negative as it not only limits the choice of consumers to move to other providers, thus controlling free market forces; but it also means that the consumer has to forgo the freedom where she would have the option of switching over to local networks and avoid paying roaming fees while travelling, which is offered in unlocked phones. What has made the debate even more fascinating is the fact that individuals and organisations have managed to 'unlock' phones, causing IPR proponents to claim that this constitutes copyright violation. While this claim may be true under US IPR laws, it certainly does not hold true at the global policy levels. The author concludes by saying that public policy must mirror and encourage 'open and interoperable devices that are not locked to any single carrier' which will encourage consumer rights.

Read Full Text