Linked by Thom Holwerda on Fri 13th Feb 2009 20:25 UTC, submitted by Moulinneuf
Apple The iPhone, Apple's current cash cow and best selling cellular phone in the United States, is a completely closed phone in that only applications from the App Store can be installed on the phone. However, by jailbreaking the iPhone you can install applications from whatever source you want, which might be desirable if an application you want isn't allowed into the App Store by Apple. The Cupertino company has never had an official stance on jailbeaking, but this has now changed: according to them, it's a breach of copyright.
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Perspective
by elsewhere on Sat 14th Feb 2009 05:29 UTC
elsewhere
Member since:
2005-07-13

Not that I want to be in the position to defend Apple, but let's keep this in perspective. The EFF requested a waiver on the DMCA to formally permit jail-breaking for iPhones. Did anyone expect Apple to remain silent? It would be bigger news if they didn't respond.

I strongly doubt that this signifies the beginning of some sort of RIAA-type inquisition of iPhone jail-breakers. The legal types in Cupertino are simply justifying their pay.

The real issue here is about the DMCA, and the fact that this sort of exception is technically required. The decision will likely have implications for consumers regardless of how it turns out. Apple is Apple, and will always be Apple, and this is just Apple being Apple.

It's ridiculous that the EFF should have to basically request permission on behalf of consumers to "legally" jail-break their phones, and it's ridiculous that Apple can actually argue that they shouldn't be allowed. The DMCA is the real evil here.

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