Andre Yoskowitz
16 Jul 2014 13:47
The Senate has passed bill S. 517, allowing consumers to unlock their phones when it is time to switch carriers.
S. 517 aka the Unlocking Consumer Choice and Wireless Competition Act, will make it once again legal to unlock your phones when your contract is up. The right had been an exemption in the DMCA, but it was revoked when the Library of Congress ruled phone software is protected by copyright and that unlocking could potentially be a copyright violation.
"This straightforward restoring bill is about promoting consumer rights," says Sen. Patrick Leahy (D-Vt.) "When consumers finish the terms of their contract, they should be able to keep their phones and make their own decision about which wireless provider to use."
The Senate passed the bill unanimously and it now goes to the House.
Source:
The Hill