Possible Lawsuits against AT&T iPhone? Lawyers anyone?

Joined
Jun 28, 2009
Messages
1
Reaction score
0
Points
1
Hello

I'm very frustrated with AT&T right now with their iPhone contract. I totally understand the 2-year contract agreement because AT&T subsidizes the iPhone cost. Well, let's supposed the 2 years time has lapsed...Shouldn't the customers be legally entitled to the full ownership of their iPhones, including all the internal features of the phones? Including breaking free from AT&T Sim Card and thus rendering the phone as a legally unlocked phone?

Let's supposed that you've signed a 2 year contract with AT&T for your iPhone 3G. A year has passed and you breached the contract because you want to get the new phone 3GS. Well, you obviously breached the contract by canceling the 2 year contract prematurely, but then you paid an excessive amount of termination fees to AT&T by paying the new iPhone price higher than everybody else as damages. Then, shouldn't you LEGALLY be released from all AT&T "attachments" with your older iPhone? AT&T doesn't think so, will not provide the unlock code for the phone and I believe that this is ILLEGAL since AT&T no longer has the right to the service or the phone. Let me know what you think and if I have a reasonable case to open a lawsuit against AT&T!
 
N

Notopi

Guest
Hello

I'm very frustrated with AT&T right now with their iPhone contract. I totally understand the 2-year contract agreement because AT&T subsidizes the iPhone cost. Well, let's supposed the 2 years time has lapsed...Shouldn't the customers be legally entitled to the full ownership of their iPhones, including all the internal features of the phones? Including breaking free from AT&T Sim Card and thus rendering the phone as a legally unlocked phone?

Let's supposed that you've signed a 2 year contract with AT&T for your iPhone 3G. A year has passed and you breached the contract because you want to get the new phone 3GS. Well, you obviously breached the contract by canceling the 2 year contract prematurely, but then you paid an excessive amount of termination fees to AT&T by paying the new iPhone price higher than everybody else as damages. Then, shouldn't you LEGALLY be released from all AT&T "attachments" with your older iPhone? AT&T doesn't think so, will not provide the unlock code for the phone and I believe that this is ILLEGAL since AT&T no longer has the right to the service or the phone. Let me know what you think and if I have a reasonable case to open a lawsuit against AT&T!

iPhone is an exclusive phone just for AT&T. I believe AT&T has the right to do what ever they want. Apple just makes the technology.
 
Joined
Sep 30, 2007
Messages
9,962
Reaction score
1,235
Points
113
Location
The Republic of Neptune
Your Mac's Specs
2019 iMac 27"; 2020 M1 MacBook Air; macOS up-to-date... always.
The last I heard, carriers are required by law (in the U.S.) to unlock your phone on demand once you've fulfilled your obligation. And even if they aren't, they should be. I for one would fully support this. I believe this is largely why Senator Kerry is spearheading an inquiry into Apple and AT&T's iPhone arrangements.
 
Joined
May 31, 2009
Messages
91
Reaction score
0
Points
6
The last I heard, carriers are required by law (in the U.S.) to unlock your phone on demand once you've fulfilled your obligation. And even if they aren't, they should be. I for one would fully support this. I believe this is largely why Senator Kerry is spearheading an inquiry into Apple and AT&T's iPhone arrangements.

There is no such law. Kerry is looking to find ways to make the law you are inquiring about to pass through congress.
 
Joined
Sep 30, 2007
Messages
9,962
Reaction score
1,235
Points
113
Location
The Republic of Neptune
Your Mac's Specs
2019 iMac 27"; 2020 M1 MacBook Air; macOS up-to-date... always.
Joined
Feb 24, 2009
Messages
86
Reaction score
1
Points
8
Location
Near the middle
Your Mac's Specs
iMac 24", 3.06GHz, 1TB HD, 4GB RAM; MBP 15" 2.53 GHz
If there is no law, what drove the unlocking of phones starting back in 2007? I remember stories in the news just before I was off to Iraq that GSM carriers had to provide unlock codes if requested. I did so for my new Blackjack so I could use it in Iraq and AT&T complied.


I see from the Wikipedia article mentioned above that it was probably linked to the DCMA ruling in late '06.

I find the whole thing funny. AT&T gets my dough whether I am using the Blackjack or the nice little Nokia that I bought in Iraq (up until I got my iPhone in April), so what does it really matter? The contract is about agreeing to service - I mean if I drive over my iPhone (heave n forbid!) and go back to my Nokia, it is still no money out of AT&T's pocket. Exclusivity is fine for the contract period, but it should be all bets off after that.
 
Joined
Oct 22, 2007
Messages
1,956
Reaction score
47
Points
48
Location
Tampa , FL
Your Mac's Specs
15" MBP Unibody 2.53Ghz 4GB RAM 250GB HD,VERIZON iPhone 4,SIG P238 ,iPad,6th Gen iPod NANO
The master Steve Jobs says you can only use your iPhone on At&t,He knows whats best for you, Just ask the Apple fan boys they will tell. Never question Apple or their practices it's sacrilegious and blasphemous

How dare you attempt to violate the sacred Apple EULA !!!!!
 
Joined
May 31, 2009
Messages
91
Reaction score
0
Points
6
If there is no law, what drove the unlocking of phones starting back in 2007? I remember stories in the news just before I was off to Iraq that GSM carriers had to provide unlock codes if requested. I did so for my new Blackjack so I could use it in Iraq and AT&T complied.


I see from the Wikipedia article mentioned above that it was probably linked to the DCMA ruling in late '06.

I find the whole thing funny. AT&T gets my dough whether I am using the Blackjack or the nice little Nokia that I bought in Iraq (up until I got my iPhone in April), so what does it really matter? The contract is about agreeing to service - I mean if I drive over my iPhone (heave n forbid!) and go back to my Nokia, it is still no money out of AT&T's pocket. Exclusivity is fine for the contract period, but it should be all bets off after that.

Then help Kerry makes it a law. Everyone has the power to change the laws, and voice their opinions to make things laws, but no one is doing it. People complain about it but don't walk the walk.
 
Joined
Aug 24, 2005
Messages
175
Reaction score
4
Points
18
Your Mac's Specs
17" 2.8ghz Macbook Pro, 32GB iPhone 4
I wanted the iPhone so I stayed with AT&T, and didn't unlock it for another carrier. I had no problem doing so, as I knew it was only available through the one carrier. Call me crazy for following the law, and thinking it's silly that because two businesses are telling you how they want their product and technology, that laws should be drafted to force them to do against their own will. I love this country
 
Joined
Oct 22, 2007
Messages
1,956
Reaction score
47
Points
48
Location
Tampa , FL
Your Mac's Specs
15" MBP Unibody 2.53Ghz 4GB RAM 250GB HD,VERIZON iPhone 4,SIG P238 ,iPad,6th Gen iPod NANO
I wanted the iPhone so I stayed with AT&T, and didn't unlock it for another carrier. I had no problem doing so, as I knew it was only available through the one carrier. Call me crazy for following the law, and thinking it's silly that because two businesses are telling you how they want their product and technology, that laws should be drafted to force them to do against their own will. I love this country


Following what Law? It's not against the law to unlock a cell phone in this country.
 
Joined
May 18, 2006
Messages
204
Reaction score
3
Points
18
Location
Dearborn Michigan
Your Mac's Specs
Macbook Pro 15-inch: 2.66GHz
I wanted the iPhone so I stayed with AT&T, and didn't unlock it for another carrier. I had no problem doing so, as I knew it was only available through the one carrier. Call me crazy for following the law, and thinking it's silly that because two businesses are telling you how they want their product and technology, that laws should be drafted to force them to do against their own will. I love this country

While I agree that in most cases the government should not try and force companies to do things against their will, the same should also be said for the people who patronize those companies. If I want to buy a piece of hardware and modify it in such a way that makes it more useful to me, I should be able to do so. Not only that, but I should be able to tell others how they can follow in my footsteps and perform the same hacks. In today's climate with the DMCA and sue happy layers with cease and desist letters ready to go, it's not always so great.
 
Joined
Feb 24, 2009
Messages
86
Reaction score
1
Points
8
Location
Near the middle
Your Mac's Specs
iMac 24", 3.06GHz, 1TB HD, 4GB RAM; MBP 15" 2.53 GHz
Most of you are probably too young to remember, but there was a time when you had to lease your landline phone from AT&T rather than hooking up your own (no such thing, in fact). Eventually, they started selling them to consumers, and finally allowed others to sell them too. In all likelihood, this too shall pass.
 
Joined
Sep 30, 2007
Messages
9,962
Reaction score
1,235
Points
113
Location
The Republic of Neptune
Your Mac's Specs
2019 iMac 27"; 2020 M1 MacBook Air; macOS up-to-date... always.
I wanted the iPhone so I stayed with AT&T, and didn't unlock it for another carrier. I had no problem doing so, as I knew it was only available through the one carrier. Call me crazy for following the law, and thinking it's silly that because two businesses are telling you how they want their product and technology, that laws should be drafted to force them to do against their own will. I love this country

Once I've fulfilled my contract and my phone is paid for, I should be able to use it on any compatible carrier. I think it's silly for two businesses to tell me that I can't. I should have the right to do so, and it's a shame laws have to be drafted to protect my rights thusly.
 
Joined
May 31, 2009
Messages
91
Reaction score
0
Points
6
Once I've fulfilled my contract and my phone is paid for, I should be able to use it on any compatible carrier. I think it's silly for two businesses to tell me that I can't. I should have the right to do so, and it's a shame laws have to be drafted to protect my rights thusly.

I agree, but I am too lazy to do anything about it. After trying with about 100,000 people it wasn't enough so I gave up.
 
Joined
Feb 13, 2009
Messages
41
Reaction score
1
Points
8
The call it purchasing the device, not leasing, to me that indicates you are right about the unlock when out of contract. I am going to write my congressman. Not optimistic but who knows.
 
Joined
Mar 28, 2008
Messages
223
Reaction score
3
Points
18
when John Kerry and friends convince congress to pass a law prohibiting exclusive carrier/ manufacturer deals on cell phones, and stopping the devices from being locked to particular carriers, the people will get exactly what they asked for.

No more subsidized phones, no more 2 year contracts to get the subsidized phone. you will have to pay the full retail value of the phone, and when you have a problem with your phone, you will have to settle that issue with the manufacturer, not the carrier.

be careful of what you ask for, you may get it.
 
Joined
Oct 22, 2007
Messages
1,956
Reaction score
47
Points
48
Location
Tampa , FL
Your Mac's Specs
15" MBP Unibody 2.53Ghz 4GB RAM 250GB HD,VERIZON iPhone 4,SIG P238 ,iPad,6th Gen iPod NANO
when John Kerry and friends convince congress to pass a law prohibiting exclusive carrier/ manufacturer deals on cell phones, and stopping the devices from being locked to particular carriers, the people will get exactly what they asked for.

No more subsidized phones, no more 2 year contracts to get the subsidized phone. you will have to pay the full retail value of the phone, and when you have a problem with your phone, you will have to settle that issue with the manufacturer, not the carrier.

be careful of what you ask for, you may get it.


That's not an entirely bad deal. Your going to pay full price for the phone with the 2 year contract anyways.Both sides have their ups and downs.
 
Joined
Mar 28, 2008
Messages
223
Reaction score
3
Points
18
Let me know what you think and if I have a reasonable case to open a lawsuit against AT&T!

yes you have a valid argument like many people before you have had, but you will only fail like the countless others before you. It happens with every wireless carrier
 
Joined
May 31, 2009
Messages
91
Reaction score
0
Points
6
yes you have a valid argument like many people before you have had, but you will only fail like the countless others before you. It happens with every wireless carrier

No one follows through with it. When I lived in California I had about 100,000 people, and when the time came all of them dropped of the face of the world. I tried a few more times, and every time it has failed. IF you want something done about it you have to put the time and effort. If you don't how are people supposed to take you seriously. There is no lawsuit where you will get punitive damages you can only change the law. No one is getting hurt, and you are not losing your phone. The best thing that'll happen is Apple/ATTM has to unlock the phones like in other countries where it is Illegal to lock a phone to a specific carrier.
 

Shop Amazon


Shop for your Apple, Mac, iPhone and other computer products on Amazon.
We are a participant in the Amazon Services LLC Associates Program, an affiliate program designed to provide a means for us to earn fees by linking to Amazon and affiliated sites.
Top