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In a twist that literally nobody on planet Earth saw coming, iPhoneUnlocking.com were forced to cancel their unlock software launch on Saturday due to apparent legal threats from AT&T, Apple's telco partner. Releasing a statement on their company blog, doubts were expressed whether the software would ever be allowed to see the light of day:
"After saying they were phoning on behalf of AT&T, the law firm presented issues such as copyright infringement and illegal software dissemination. Uniquephones is taking legal advice to ascertain whether AT&T was sending a warning shot or directly threatening legal action"
AT&T's clinching of the iPhone contract with Apple was a major coup for the carrier, and market analysts have put much of their recent financial performance down to the so-called "halo affect" of offering the coveted cellphone. Nonetheless, the demand for an unlocked iPhone - which would work on any GSM network worldwide - has been vast, particularly outside of the US where the handset is yet to launch, and iPhoneUnlocking (a subsidiary of UniquePhones) were counting on that demand to make their software unlock service a bestseller.
"The company spokesperson also said that the company would also be evaluating what to eventually do with the software should they be legally denied the right to sell it. A substantial delay caused by any legal action would render the unlocking software a less valuable commodity as well as creating unforeseen security issues for the company"
In a short follow-up statement released today, iPhoneUnlocking promised an answer for all those awaiting the software, although little indication was given of whether the company believed it would eventually be able to sell it or not.
"Over the next few days, you can expect a clear response, and you will get what you are looking for too"
Legal action was one option many commentators believed AT&T would be likely to take, while it was suggested that Apple would instead penalise unlocked and hacked iPhones by denying them future software and feature updates.
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Uniquephones/iPhoneunlocking.com have been making promises since the iPhone was released. They’ve delivered on none of them. Their self imposed deadlines either lapse without comment, or they make a new promise, or, now, they come up with an excuse.
I don’t believe them, and I won’t link to them and boost their google pagerank.
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