Skype And Mozilla Support EFF's Exemption

Now that Apple has officially pleaded its case against the Electronic Frontier Foundation's exemption request for the jailbreaking of mobile devices, it's about time for someone else to speak up. The Mozilla Corporation and Skype Communications have filed their own documents in support of EFF, not Apple. The Mozilla Corporation argues in their three page statement that users should be able to acquire and use software on jailbroken devices. They state that jailbreaking creates an open environment and breeds innovation. Mozilla also uses the same idea that EFF used, you paid for the device so you should be allowed to use it however you wish. Apple actually specifically states in their statement that applications are allowed to compete with their own as long as they meet the SDK requirements. They even go on to cite specific browsers that are currently available at the App Store. Skype Communications, however, has a more interesting argument. Their six page statement indicates they are after wireless carriers rules specifically:

Skype strongly supports open wireless broadband networks; i.e., wireless networks on which users can attach (nonharmful) devices of their choice (“no locking”) and use software applications of their choice on such devices (“no blocking”).

Also contained in the document:

More broadly, users should be able to use their choice of devices and software applications on wireless networks rather than being limited to those devices and applications that are “approved” by the wireless carrier. ...particularly in instances where carriers restrict access to applications, such as Skype, that may threaten part of their business model.

If the EFF's exemption to the DMCA is allowed, it would simply make it legal for companies to offer their software alternatives through sources other than the App Store, such as Cydia. Of course it will still be illegal to modify Apple's own internal software. Apple isn't going to change it's software license rules or SDK over the EFF's exemption. [via AppleInsider]

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