And again with the class-action suits.  Today's legal lunge is brought courtesy of Herbert H. Kliegerman, and his ire is prompted by a $2,000 roaming bill.  Kliegerman, a resident of New York State, took his iPhone on a trip to Mexico where he made ample use of its email and web browsing facilities; he contends that Apple is guilty of deceptive and misleading practises, primarily for supplying locked handsets and - in partnership with AT&T - refusing to give him an unlock code when requested.

Central to his suit is a claim on Apple's website that states: "You can browse the Internet and send emails as often as you like without being charged extra"; his attorneys, Randall S. Newman, P.C, assert that, had Kleigerman been able to buy a SIM from Mexico and use it in his iPhone, the costs would have been significantly lower than AT&T's roaming charges.

The judgement they're aiming for consists of three parts: first, that Apple be legally prevented from selling locked iPhones; second, that they provide unlock codes for existing iPhone owners; and third, that Apple be made to publicise international roaming charges.

iPhone owners hit by massive roaming bills have been granted pretty short shrift by commenters here at MY iTablet, with a typical response being that people should check the terms of the contract and any fees they might be liable for before travelling.  It's certainly a sensible thing to do whether you use an iPhone or not.  Kliegerman's case may win some support from owners (current or potential) who would like to see an officially unlocked iPhone, but whether the New York Supreme Court will feel the same remains to be seen.

[via AppleInsider]