26日開始，購買新智慧手機的美國消費者不自由。根據美國國會圖書館的最新規定，未經電信公司許可，逕自把手機解鎖(unlock)或越獄 (JB)屬違法行為。
新規定隻適用於26日以後購買的鎖碼手機。這意味在這一天之前購買的手機，仍可不經電信業者許可而「破解」。美國國會圖書館現在認定，手機上的軟體隻是授權給消費者使用，消費者並無所有權，因此不受「公平使用」規定的保障。
美國國會於1998年通過「數位千禧年版權法案」，規定擅用有版權的內容及侵犯管理科技的數位權，屬於非法行為。手機鎖碼使其隻能使用某一個電信公司的軟體，受到此法的保障，而「破解」的目的，正是要打破此種軟體的限製，讓手機獲得「自由」，得以使用其他電信網路。
國會圖書館有權豁免限製，智慧手機解鎖早先即在豁免之列，不算違法，但去年10月28日生效的豁免清單改變，把它剔除。不過，新規定有90天寬限期，本月26日才正式生效執行。
有一個辦法可以規避新規定：用全額向電信業者買一支不綁約的已解碼手機，但這樣做將使消費者多花數百美元。業者向願意綁約的消費者提供很大的手機折扣 (通常綁約兩年)，藉以招徠顧客，然後從語音和數據傳輸服務月費把錢再賺回來。
大力遊說維持豁免的團體辯稱，把「解鎖」視為違法，違背競爭精神，將導致手機價格更貴，而且會製造更多電子垃圾。
聯合新聞
As of Saturday, unlocking a cellphone is against US law.
The process, which allows you to use your handset with a network other than the one you bought it from, has just become illegal again as part of the Digital Millennium Copyright Act (DMCA).
Unlocking was formerly allowed under an exemption to the act, ABC News explains, but in October 2012 the the US Copyright Office and Library of Congress decided not to renew the clause and it expired on Jan. 26.
Now, you must obtain your carrier's permission to unlock your phone or face a potential fine of up to $2,500. Anyone found unlocking handsets for profit could be forced to pay up to $500,000 and may even go to jail, according to ABC.
That said, "it's not like police officers will come knocking on your door if you decide to unlock your cellphone," the New York Times assures. It's more likely suspected offenders will get warnings from phone companies.
And you can still legally purchase an unlocked phone new (though usually for a higher price), tech site All Things D points out, while some networks will agree to unlock your handset once your contract with them is up.
Networks argue that the reform is necessary to stop people selling on the phones they got free or discounted with their contract, or dealing in stolen handsets.
But consumer rights groups say phones are the user's property, and users should be able to do what they like with them.
Campaigners are petitioning the White House for unlocking to be legalized permanently, Mashable reported.
"Consumers will be forced to pay exorbitant roaming fees to make calls while traveling abroad," the online petition reads. "It reduces consumer choice, and decreases the resale value of devices that consumers have paid for in full."
http://www.globalpost.com/
新規定隻適用於26日以後購買的鎖碼手機。這意味在這一天之前購買的手機，仍可不經電信業者許可而「破解」。美國國會圖書館現在認定，手機上的軟體隻是授權給消費者使用，消費者並無所有權，因此不受「公平使用」規定的保障。
美國國會於1998年通過「數位千禧年版權法案」，規定擅用有版權的內容及侵犯管理科技的數位權，屬於非法行為。手機鎖碼使其隻能使用某一個電信公司的軟體，受到此法的保障，而「破解」的目的，正是要打破此種軟體的限製，讓手機獲得「自由」，得以使用其他電信網路。
國會圖書館有權豁免限製，智慧手機解鎖早先即在豁免之列，不算違法，但去年10月28日生效的豁免清單改變，把它剔除。不過，新規定有90天寬限期，本月26日才正式生效執行。
有一個辦法可以規避新規定：用全額向電信業者買一支不綁約的已解碼手機，但這樣做將使消費者多花數百美元。業者向願意綁約的消費者提供很大的手機折扣 (通常綁約兩年)，藉以招徠顧客，然後從語音和數據傳輸服務月費把錢再賺回來。
大力遊說維持豁免的團體辯稱，把「解鎖」視為違法，違背競爭精神，將導致手機價格更貴，而且會製造更多電子垃圾。
聯合新聞
As of Saturday, unlocking a cellphone is against US law.
The process, which allows you to use your handset with a network other than the one you bought it from, has just become illegal again as part of the Digital Millennium Copyright Act (DMCA).
Unlocking was formerly allowed under an exemption to the act, ABC News explains, but in October 2012 the the US Copyright Office and Library of Congress decided not to renew the clause and it expired on Jan. 26.
Now, you must obtain your carrier's permission to unlock your phone or face a potential fine of up to $2,500. Anyone found unlocking handsets for profit could be forced to pay up to $500,000 and may even go to jail, according to ABC.
That said, "it's not like police officers will come knocking on your door if you decide to unlock your cellphone," the New York Times assures. It's more likely suspected offenders will get warnings from phone companies.
And you can still legally purchase an unlocked phone new (though usually for a higher price), tech site All Things D points out, while some networks will agree to unlock your handset once your contract with them is up.
Networks argue that the reform is necessary to stop people selling on the phones they got free or discounted with their contract, or dealing in stolen handsets.
But consumer rights groups say phones are the user's property, and users should be able to do what they like with them.
Campaigners are petitioning the White House for unlocking to be legalized permanently, Mashable reported.
"Consumers will be forced to pay exorbitant roaming fees to make calls while traveling abroad," the online petition reads. "It reduces consumer choice, and decreases the resale value of devices that consumers have paid for in full."
http://www.globalpost.com/
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