If the following is true, than I am very worried at how ridiculous the letter of the law is:

    PENALTY: In some situations, first time offenders may be fined up to $500,000, imprisoned for five years, or both. For repeat offenders, the maximum penalty increases to a fine of $1,000,000, imprisonment for up to ten years, or both.*

I don't understand this at all. First off, unlocking only allows the cell phone to be used on different carriers (correct me if I'm wrong), which isn't even close to what jailbreaking it allows you to do with the phone. Second, the punishment is absolutely absurd. Unlocking a smartphone should be be equivalent to a life sentence economically.

BLOB_CASTLE:

Where I work we used to unlock phones through the phone's IMEI number (factory unlock). You're correct in that unlocking only allows a person to use the phone on a different carrier. Unlocking through jailbreaking is what is referred to as a software unlock. Phones can still be unlocked, but only service providers can do them. Prices varied for us, but for all iPhones but the 5, it only cost our shop $11 to do. I imagine service providers will charge at least $100.


posted 4099 days ago