iPhone Jailbreak to Become Illegal Again?

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We have been thoroughly covering all jailbreaking-related matters for a few years now, even from before the U.S. Copyright Office legalized the whole process. That’s right, jailbreaking, unlocking and/or rooting your smart device is a legal procedure, no matter what the companies will tell you, Apple included.

That however does not mean we are advising you to pursue such “hacking” procedures, and you will be the only person responsible for everything you do to your smart device, which you paid quite a lot of money for. But since we’re keeping you updated on all things related to jailbreaks and not only we will have to point out a serious thing. Jailbreaking could become illegal again if the U.S. Copyright Office deems it so.

The Electronic Frontier Foundation is reminding jailbreak fans that “jailbreaking is not a crime” and urging them to “tell the copyright office to free [their] devices”:

EFF is asking the U.S. Copyright Office to declare that jailbreaking does not violate the DMCA, and we need your help. In 2010, the Copyright Office said jailbreaking smartphones doesn’t violate the DMCA. This year, we’re asking them to renew that exemption (otherwise it will expire) and expand it to cover tablets. We’re also asking for a new exemption to allow jailbreaking of video game consoles.

The EFF is counting on jailbreak users to contact The Copyright Office and explain why jailbreaking should remain legal for the foreseeable future, although I’m certain that the companies that have their devices jailbroken all the time are certainly hoping such procedures will become illegal again, Apple included.

The EFF probably knows that over one million iPhone 4S and iPad 2 devices have been jailbroken in the first three days since the Absinthe untethered jailbreak has been released, and that there are a few other million older iOS devices that are also jailbroken using other tools provided by famous jailbreak hackers out there. And the EFF is probably counting on users on having their opinion heard (posting comments and signing a petition), especially after the recent stand against SOPA and PIPA from the public, as that momentum could be used to fuel other wars.

The one aspect that really hurts the iOS jailbreaking universe is the fact that jailbreakers are able to download pirated copies of the paid apps available in the App Store, not that we’re judging, since, after all, whatever you do with your devices is your business.

Have you jailbroken your iOS device yet?