Germans to get unlocked iphones

[beeswax]

hmm...

[FN-GM]

Would Apple or somebody able to catch you using the phones on another network but o2?

Z

[localzuk]

There is nothing Apple can do - you own the hardware, and if Apple do anything in the UK to break the usability of the phone via firmware updates or the like, it would likely be against the law and would result in a civil case being brought against them.

The thing is, aren't companies in the UK legally required to give out unlock codes if the customer demands them? Last I heard this was the case.

Also, the price being mentioned by T-Mobile in Germany is 999€...

[FN-GM]

Could there be something in the software licence agreement to stop you doing it?

Z

[localzuk]

I believe that would also be illegal (ie restricting your use of a device that you legally own), even if there is it would be unenforceable.

For example, I believe they are saying that using the phone off the single network voids the warranty or some such - and I don't believe that you can tie a warranty to software in the UK, just hardware (ie. a store can't refuse to repair your PC because you installed Linux on it).

[FN-GM]

Ok Thanks

z

[Ric_]

The way I read the article, it implied that using a iPhone on a network other than O2 in the Uk would reduce the functionality of the device. This is also the case if you use it on a non-iPhone tariff.