iPhone Jailbreaking And Unlocking To Be Officially Allowed In The U.S.

The Electronic Frontier Foundation has finally made a big step forward, as the U.S. government has added new rules proposed by the EFF to the Digital Millennium Copyright Act that allows users to officially perform actions to unlock their cellular phones and even install legally obtained software outside of avenues like Apple's App Store.

"Computer programs that enable wireless telephone handsets to execute software applications, where circumvention is accomplished for the sole purpose of enabling interoperability of such applications, when they have been lawfully obtained, with computer programs on the telephone handset."

Unfortunately, this doesn't change everything. Apple and other companies can still pursue methods of only allowing their own approved content. Wireless carriers, like AT&T, can also still deny service for unlocked phones, as it may still violate there own terms of service that you signed and agreed to when activating and creating your account with them. You are also subject to other copyright laws, software license agreements, and end-user agreements. Basically, don't expect Apple or AT&T to bend over backwards and give two cents if you are having problems with an unlocked or jailbroken device. Is this going to create a jailbreak and unlock business of new proportions? Will developers and companies begin charging for these services and solutions now? I guess we will just have to wait and see.

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