Singapore retailers pull iPhone after Apple threats
updated 10:00 pm EST, Thu December 6, 2007
Illegal Singapore iPhones
Apple has been cracking down on retailers selling illegally unlocked iPhones – the company's Danish branch last week threatened wireless retailer Telekæden about the same issue – and is currently targeting wireless distributors in Singapore. After sending emails that implied legal action would be taken against shops that did not comply, retailers began pulling the units from shelves. Reuters reports that Apple would charge the stores approximately $700 USD per unit sold illegally.
The only wireless provider currently able to sell unlocked iPhones is Orange, a subdivision of France Telecom, who sells the unlocked version at 750 euros (~$1100), a premium of 350 euros (~$500) over the bound version. T-Mobile recently pulled its unlocked version of the phone after German courts overturned an injunction that required Apple to offer an unbound alternative.
iPhonenow.ca is running advertisements during the holiday season, offering Canadians a chance to buy an unlocked iPhone ahead of a heavily rumored official Canadian launch of the iPhone in January. No word has been released on whether Apple will intervene with iPhonenow's operations.
Greed & fear...
12/06, 11:28pm reply
...used to run the apple success cycles - so now that sales are up I guess we can expect the hubris to flow freely...
bobolicious
Fresh-Faced Recruit
Joined: Aug 2002
India
12/07, 05:10am reply
what is Apple doing for unlocked iPhone being sold in India. I have one. Anyways does anyone know the official launch date for iPhone in India.
Sachin
sachxn
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Joined: Nov 2007
illegal is illegal
12/07, 08:01am reply
I am not a fanboy, but it does amaze me how people feel that they have the right to steal. Iphones are nice, but they legally only work with one network (depending on the country). Follow the laws. You don't like the laws, either sue or fight to change the laws. If it is truly an unjust law, shed light on it. Dark things hate the light.
These are usually the same pond scum that steal music and software...but when you confront them about it they can never, ever give a good reason for their despicable actions.
dynsight
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Joined: May 2005
well
12/07, 08:19am reply
I'd think there's a slight difference between taking something that doesn't belong to you without paying for it (stealing) and buying a product and altering it. You can alter a Mac, it might void your warranty, but it's not illegal. Why is it so logical that the same does not apply to an iPhone, just so Apple and the carriers can cash some more? I pay for something, I want to own it. Apple has always claimed this as the selling point for iTunes, but now all of a sudden, the same does not apply to the iPhone.
Kees
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Joined: Sep 2001
re: well
12/07, 09:38am reply
You are mostly correct. If someone buys one from eBay and alters it... it's not illegal. Making the hack is not illegal. Giving it away for free is not illegal.
But a store buying iPhones and unlocking them is probably illegal.
I thought there was a company who was modding iphones for you. I don't remember if that was legal or not. Anyone?
eldarkus
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Joined: Feb 2004
Huh?
12/07, 10:57am reply
Since when has hubris ever been in short supply at Apple?
TheSnarkmeister
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Joined: Jun 2007
There is a solution....
12/07, 11:02am reply
If people are unhappy with Apple's actions, they should write their Congressman, their Senators, and their State Attorney General to complain. Demand that the Millennium Digital Copywrite Act provisions regarding transportability be enforced. Apple and AT&T are only getting away with this because the people are too disorganized and lazy to coordinate a response through their elected representatives.
TheSnarkmeister
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Joined: Jun 2007