Unlocking is illegal in the UK ?

On Thu, 21 Aug 2003 21:14:22 +0000 (UTC), "Dave Ace"
<[email protected]> wrote:

>
>
>> "ß Ø ® G" <[email protected]> wrote in message
>> news:[email protected]...
>> > On Thu, 21 Aug 2003 20:34:13 +0000 (UTC), > >
>
>
>> > no its not, but then have you heard of anyone being done for changing
>> > the IMEI yet ?
>
>Read this too !!
>http://www.crimereduction.gov.uk/streetcrime09.htm
>



oooh thats a bugger, just as well I don't have any of that on my
computer then, but hold on, isn't there a reward on crimestoppers for
info, mmm, every phone shop I know has this software, I'm quids in


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› See More: Unlocking is illegal in the UK ?

"Dave Ace" <[email protected]> wrote in message
news:[email protected]...

> Yes it is illegal , check it out and yes I do know of people being done
for
> changing the imei on a phone , and know of somebody being done for just
> having the software on their laptop , check the facts before you
contradict
> me , trust me it is correct what I am saying .

Well then, if they have no intention of using the software and get a good
lawyer they will have no problem. The law quite clearly states that it is
only an offence if you posses the software AND (please note this is a key
word- look it up in the dictionary if you don't understand it) there is
intent to use it to change the IMEI.

I'm sorry but these are the facts. It is not illegal to simply posses the
software but I admit that trying to prove that you had no intention of using
it to change the IMEI may be difficult.

"Andy H" <[email protected]> wrote in message
news:[email protected]...
> Extract from eBay regarding their policy and the law in general....
>
> "Unlocking Software
> The unauthorised use of software or services which can unlock devices,
> such as mobile telephone SIM cards or which enable access to
> restricted areas, confidential information, other encoded data or
> protected data procedures, is illegal in the UK.
They are refering to changing the IMEI data, removing pin codes, reading sim
address books, etc...
It says, "the unauthorised use of software or services...", ie the IMEI
changing areas - not unlocking.
This could even mean enabling 3215, cos Nokia *could* be unhappy if say this
was a modern phone and were at a later date planning a general UK release of
a new model (example not a statement).

It doesn't say 'the use of software or services which can unlock devices..."
The 'unauthorised' bit is the key word.
Unlocking is not illegal in the UK - but tampering with the IMEI is!
Ebay may want to ban/restrict unlocking which would be their right to do as
this practice may cause legal issues with say Nokia or O2 etc that may not
want their phones unlocked in great supplies...

> Comments welcome as I was under the impression that it was legal in
> the UK to unlock a mobile phone but eBay seem to disagree.
>
> Andy
>
You've not read it correctly...

On Thu, 21 Aug 2003 22:41:09 GMT: Matt S scribbled in
alt.cellular.nokia

> I admit that trying to prove that you had no intention of using
> it to change the IMEI may be difficult.

Hmmm,

I take it we're now guilty until proved innocent

/me wonders when that happened :-)

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"Dave Ace" <[email protected]> wrote in message
news:[email protected]...
<snip>
> Read this too !!
> http://www.crimereduction.gov.uk/streetcrime09.htm
>
Look, it's only the idiots in here that advocate IMEI tampering, but
possession of the software on it's own is NOT an offence.

Possessing it with intent to use it to change IMEI data IS an offence.

As a previous poster said, proving that you had the software for another
purpose could be a problem for some.

I was always under the impression that with British Law, you were innocent
until proven guilty, but the more I hear, the more I wonder - are you aware
that if some junkie slips dope into your pocket (yeah, I know, but it has
happened before) without your knowledge, you are guilty of possession of a
controlled substance?

Makes you understand just where "the law is an ass" comes from, doesn't it?

--
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>>> http://www.thephonelocker.co.uk <<<
>>> http://www.uselessinfo.org.uk <<<

"ß Ø ® G" <[email protected]> wrote in message
news:[email protected]...
> oooh thats a bugger, just as well I don't have any of that on my
> computer then, but hold on, isn't there a reward on crimestoppers for
> info, mmm, every phone shop I know has this software, I'm quids in

He he. A way to make money out of the people who rip off the general
public....

On Thu, 21 Aug 2003 23:41:09 +0100, "Matt S"
<[email protected]> wrote:

>
>"Dave Ace" <[email protected]> wrote in message
>news:[email protected]...
>
>> Yes it is illegal , check it out and yes I do know of people being done
>for
>> changing the imei on a phone , and know of somebody being done for just
>> having the software on their laptop , check the facts before you
>contradict
>> me , trust me it is correct what I am saying .
>
>Well then, if they have no intention of using the software and get a good
>lawyer they will have no problem. The law quite clearly states that it is
>only an offence if you posses the software AND (please note this is a key
>word- look it up in the dictionary if you don't understand it) there is
>intent to use it to change the IMEI.
>
>I'm sorry but these are the facts. It is not illegal to simply posses the
>software but I admit that trying to prove that you had no intention of using
>it to change the IMEI may be difficult.

If it was on a laptop you could claim it was only for use when you
travel outside the country.

"Wildfire" <[email protected]> wrote in message
news:[email protected]...
> On Thu, 21 Aug 2003 22:41:09 GMT: Matt S scribbled in
> alt.cellular.nokia
>
> > I admit that trying to prove that you had no intention of using
> > it to change the IMEI may be difficult.
>
> Hmmm,
>
> I take it we're now guilty until proved innocent
>
> /me wonders when that happened :-)

When they changed the PACE rules about relying on something to defend
yourself later

i.e to stop the police looking stupid when you prove that you were elsewhere
when a crime was committed.


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the operator revenues are hit when a phone is unlocked as this makes for
a marketable commodity, i am sure there are plenty of dealers who will
do this for a fee, maybe even an operator. they have to recoup the loss
of the handset cost soehow.


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On Thu, 21 Aug 2003 20:16:36 +0100, ß Ø ® G <[email protected]> wrote:

>the same why people unlock or changed SIM card for ITV Digital, I
>think its a cover our backs thing, but has nothing to do with
>unlocking phones, isn't the SIM lock code stored on the SIM, if you
>get past that you could use the SIM in another phone and run up the
>owners bill maybe ?

The SIM is *not* locked. The phone is locked so you cannot use
another network's SIM in the phone.

If you put your SIM in another phone that phone becomes your phone and
any calls you place will be charged to your account on whatever
network you are on.
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On Thu, 21 Aug 2003 19:22:24 GMT, Wildfire
<[email protected]> wrote:

>> isn't the SIM lock code stored on the SIM,
>
>The PIN code?
>
>> if you get past that you could use the SIM in another phone and run
>> up the owners bill maybe ?
>
>Yep, I'm with you now.

SIM lock and PIN code have nothing to do with each other.

Using your SIM in another phone won't make charges to anything other
than the account that the SIM is coded to. If that's your SIM card it
will charge against your account.

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>Ebay may want to ban/restrict unlocking which would be their right to do as
>this practice may cause legal issues with say Nokia or O2 etc that may not
>want their phones unlocked in great supplies...
>
>
>Whether Nokia or O2 etc like it or not should not be for eBay to decide.
They said to me it is illegal in the UK to unlock mobile phones but I
think they are getting confused with unlocking SIM cards or unblocking
phones. I have asked them to clarify this.

The reason it came about was from an auction I relisted which sells
blank logos, and very successfully before you all start saying why pay
when you can get it for free. I added to the auction that I could now
unlock phones for an additional £1. Thwe auction was ended within 24
hours. The strange thing is that when I last searched there were over
40 listings under 'nokia unlocking'

Andy

"Richard Colton" <[email protected]> wrote in message
news:7gc1b.253823$B%[email protected]...

> >
> Look, it's only the idiots in here that advocate IMEI tampering, but
> possession of the software on it's own is NOT an offence.
>
> Possessing it with intent to use it to change IMEI data IS an offence.
>

Wrong Richard
The new law means that:
changing or interfering with a mobile phone handset IMEI number is a
CRIMINAL OFFENCE

Possessing, supplying or offering to supply equipment for that purpose is
also a CRIMINAL OFFENCE.

The new offences carry a maximum penalty of 5 years' imprisonment, or an
unlimited fine, or both.The police will actively enforce this law.

"Dave Ace" <[email protected]> wrote in message
news:[email protected]...
<snip>
> Wrong Richard
> The new law means that:
> changing or interfering with a mobile phone handset IMEI number is a
> CRIMINAL OFFENCE

Yes, you got that bit right.

> Possessing, supplying or offering to supply equipment for that purpose is
> also a CRIMINAL OFFENCE.

Try reading what you have just typed - the "for that purpose" bit..

> The new offences carry a maximum penalty of 5 years' imprisonment, or an
> unlimited fine, or both.The police will actively enforce this law.

Yes, absolutely correct, and so they should, but it doesn't change the fact
that simply possessing/supplying software or hardware capable of changing
the IMEI is NOT a criminal offence - however, possessing/supplying it with
the intent to use it to change the IMEI IS an offence.

--
>>> Unlock Your Phones Potential <<<
>>> http://www.thephonelocker.co.uk <<<
>>> http://www.uselessinfo.org.uk <<<

"Richard Colton" <[email protected]> wrote in message
news:Pkx1b.264081$B%[email protected]...
>
> "Dave Ace" <[email protected]> wrote in message
> news:[email protected]...
> <snip>
> > Wrong Richard
> > The new law means that:
> > changing or interfering with a mobile phone handset IMEI number is a
> > CRIMINAL OFFENCE
>
> Yes, you got that bit right.
>
> > Possessing, supplying or offering to supply equipment for that purpose
is
> > also a CRIMINAL OFFENCE.
>
> Try reading what you have just typed - the "for that purpose" bit..
>
> > The new offences carry a maximum penalty of 5 years' imprisonment, or an
> > unlimited fine, or both.The police will actively enforce this law.
>
> Yes, absolutely correct, and so they should, but it doesn't change the
fact
> that simply possessing/supplying software or hardware capable of changing
> the IMEI is NOT a criminal offence - however, possessing/supplying it with
> the intent to use it to change the IMEI IS an offence.
>
> --
> >>> Unlock Your Phones Potential <<<
> >>> http://www.thephonelocker.co.uk <<<
> >>> http://www.uselessinfo.org.uk <<<
>
>

Trust me I have hecked up on this to see exactly where I stand with the
software

As it says
Possessing, supplying or offering to supply equipment for that purpose is
> > also a CRIMINAL OFFENCE

Possessing , I have been correctly informed that merely having the software
on your laptop , ie possessing it is an offence in itself

Possessing, supplying or offering to supply equipment for that purpose is
> > also a CRIMINAL OFFENCE