Yay! Legal to Jailbreak & Unlock iPhone!

HOORAY!  It is now officially legal to jailbreak and unlock handset devices like the iPhone and Android phones.  This circumvents the exclusivity agreements between AT&T and Apple.  The same agreements that drive a lot of users nuts.  AT&T's network is stressed as it is, and is it really fair that they get to claim all that pie? 

As you know, I've been a loyal fan of T-Mobile.  I can't tell you why.  It's partially because of their rates: they're fair and competitive.  And also largely due to their customer service.  Everyone I've ever had to talk to from T-Mobile either in a store or on the phone has been great.  But, in the end... to be completely honest.  I think it's the pink.  They have kept the little pink dot in their logo all this time.  And the guys in the stores sometimes wear hot pink shirts.  I mean, c'mon it's like their speaking directly to ME.  

The marshmallow in the cocoa was when a store associate told me T-Mobile supported a few million iPhones. *swoon*  I thought it was slightly renegade at the time I heard it last year.  "What?  Is that even legal?"  Well, kinda yes and maybe no.  It allowed me to stay on my T-Mobile contract and pick up a used iPhone, learn how to jailbreak & unlock it and fall in love with a piece of technology.
But now, with this recent ruling, I feel as if the relationship facilitated by T-Mobile between me & my iPhone has been validated.  I don't have to hide.  No secret texts, no receipts I have to hide.  It's really quite freeing, I gotta say. 

When I heard about it, I wanted to grab my iPhone and run through the streets naked proclaiming my love.  But let's admit it, that would be overkill.  Instead, I did a mini happy dance in my cube at work.  There are never bad celebrations... some are just... smaller than others. :)

The part of this ruling that applies to freaks like us is this:

"(2) Computer programs that enable wireless telephone handsets to execute software applications, where circumvention is accomplished for the sole purpose of enabling interoperability of such applications, when they have been lawfully obtained, with computer programs on the telephone handset.

(3) Computer programs, in the form of firmware or software, that enable used wireless telephone handsets to connect to a wireless telecommunications network, when circumvention is initiated by the owner of the copy of the computer program solely in order to connect to a wireless telecommunications network and access to the network is authorized by the operator of the network."

Link to the .gov page here.

Now go crack open your beverage of choice & celebrate!