The Library of Congress determined that consumers should not be allowed to unlock their cell phones. You might remember the decision. We had a thread all about it, and the internet collectively threw a shit fit over the whole ordeal.
Well, it looks like some Congressmen agreed with the internet, and they're taking action. Or, at least, they're trying to.
So much for being lock-blocked, am I right, fellas?
Now, this doesn't mean that anything has changed yet. The bill will have to make its way through both houses of Congress (the Republican controlled House and Democrat controlled Senate). After wading through procedures and committees, it'll also need the President's signature or it's back in Congress' hands. This is a positive sign, but don't take it as a definite just yet.
After all, as Mark Twain so famously said, "If pro is the opposite of con, then the opposite of progress must be Congress. Also, bitches ain't shit but hoes and tricks."
Well, it looks like some Congressmen agreed with the internet, and they're taking action. Or, at least, they're trying to.
SalonCongress has finally thought up a bill to make it legal to unlock your cellphone again.
Called the Unlocking Technology Act, it has a simple goal: to fix that silly section of U.S. law that says it’s actually a copyright violation to use your cellphone for a purpose besides what’s intended by its manufacturers.
And it’s backed by an Internet all-star team in the House. The bill was written by Zoe Lofgren (D-Calif.), known for asking Reddit for help in creating “Aaron’s Law,” in honor of the site’s late cofounder, Aaron Swartz. It’s also sponsored by two signers of the Declaration of Internet Freedom,Anna Eshoo (D-Calif.) and Jared Polis (D-Colo.), as well as Thomas Massie (R-Ky.).
“Americans should not be subject to fines and criminal liability for merely unlocking devices and media they legally purchased,” Lofgren said inannouncing her bill. “If consumers are not violating copyright or some other law, there’s little reason to hold back the benefits of unlocking so people can continue using their devices.”
So much for being lock-blocked, am I right, fellas?
Now, this doesn't mean that anything has changed yet. The bill will have to make its way through both houses of Congress (the Republican controlled House and Democrat controlled Senate). After wading through procedures and committees, it'll also need the President's signature or it's back in Congress' hands. This is a positive sign, but don't take it as a definite just yet.
After all, as Mark Twain so famously said, "If pro is the opposite of con, then the opposite of progress must be Congress. Also, bitches ain't shit but hoes and tricks."