iPhone SDK Agreement Prohibits Jailbreaking
April 1, 2009
Yes, you read the headline correctly. Apple has outlined in their new iPhone Developer Program License Agreement that developers can not be associated with jailbreaking in any way, shape, or form.
This means that registered developers are no longer able to jailbreak their own phones, assist in the jailbreaking process, or distribute their applications in any way other than the App Store or Ad Hoc.
This seems more like a scare tactic than anything else. Apple is simply trying to prevent registered developers from helping out the iPhone Dev Team as well as trying to impede the growth of Cydia and other third party application distribution outlets. There is no way to tell what Apple actually can or will do to developers who get caught assisting the jailbreak community. If you are a registered developer and still want to participate in jailbreaking, simply err on the side of caution, because you don't want Apple's superb legal teaming coming after you. Just don't say we didn't warn you.
You can understand what Apple is trying to do here, but their efforts may be futile. The iPhone Dev Team along with the rest of the community will not go down without a fight.
[via Ars Technica]