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US Copyright Office upholds right to jailbreak phones, jailbreaking tablets still illegal

A victory, of sorts

US Copyright Office upholds right to jailbreak phones, jailbreaking tablets still illegal
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The United States Copyright Office published a revision of its rules on the jailbreaking of smartphones, gaming consoles, and tablets this week and the results are not encouraging for those who like to tinker with their toys.

As part of their re-examination the law under the Digital Millennium Copyright Act, the U.S. Copyright office ruled that smartphone jailbreaking still remains legal.

CNET reports that the Copyright Office did not overturn its decision the jailbreaking of tablets and gaming consoles, however, which remain illegal practices.

The purpose for the office's upholding of this ban on jailbreaking is to curtail software piracy. As such, smartphones were given a pass as jailbreaking the device allows consumers to freely switch carriers.

Jailbreak while you have the chance

Even though smartphones were given a pass under the U.S. Copyright Office's new rules, the freedom is a fleeting one. The exemption to jailbreak a smartphone with the intent to switch carriers will only last until January 2013.

After this point, a smartphone may only be jailbroken with the express permission of the network carrier.

Matthew Diener
Matthew Diener
Representing the former colonies, Matt keeps the Pocket Gamer news feed updated when sleepy Europeans are sleeping. As a frustrated journalist, diehard gamer and recovering MMO addict, this is pretty much his dream job.