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I've been reading about how using jailbreak and adding third party applications to the iPhone is against the EULA. So I decided to take a look at the EULA to see whether this is actually the case or whether we've just been scared into believing it. I've attached a copy of the EULA for people who want to read the entire thing. I'm going to focus on the portion that deals with things like jailbreak.
We want to take a look at section 2, passage c. As you can see, there is nothing in the wording that explicitly prevents one from hacking into the device. You are simply not allowed from using various methods to reverse engineer the software. Essentially, Apple is making sure you can't buy an iPhone, figure out how the software works, and then sell a knockoff copy. None of those restrictions point out exploiting weaknesses in the software to gain access to the system.
Also, there is no wording whatsoever in the section (or the rest of the EULA for that matter) that would lead one to conclude that installing third party applications would violate the agreement. It is simply Apple policy to not service iPhones that have been hacked. The process itself is not inherently illegal in and of itself.
So as you can see, using programs such as jailbreak and installing third party applications on the iPhone is not in violation of the EULA. Now, I'm not sure whether the same applies to the iPod touch. I'm going to go look over the touch's EULA to see whether the same applies. If anyone else wants to take a look over as well, you can get all of the license agreements from Apple's Legal page
EDIT: I just took a look at the touch's EULA, and it's identical to the iPhone's EULA. I can't attach it as it's 1.9MB, but you can get it at the Apple Legal page I linked to above.
View attachment iphone eula.pdf
2. Permitted License Uses and Restrictions
(a) This License allows you to use the iPhone Software on a single Apple-labeled iPhone. This License does not allow the iPhone Software to exist on more than one Apple-labeled iPhone at a time, and you may not make the iPhone Software available over a network where it could be used by multiple devices at the same time. This License does not grant you any
rights to use Apple proprietary interfaces and other intellectual property in the design, development, manufacture, licensing or distribution of third party deuse with the iPhone. Some of those rights are available under a separate license from Apple. For more information, please email [email protected].
(b) With respect to updates to the iPhone Software that Apple may make available for download (“iPhone Software Updates”), this License allows you to download the iPhone Software Updates to update the software on any iPhone that you own or control. This License does not allow you to update iPhones that you do not control or own, and you may not make the iPhone Software Updates available over a network where it could be used by multiple devices or multiple computers at the same time. You may make one copy of the iPhone Software Updates stored on your computer in machine-readable form for backup purposes only; provided that the backup copy must include all copyright or other proprietary notices contained on the original.
(c) Except as and only to the extent permitted by applicable law, or by licensing terms governing use of open-sourced components included with the iPhone Software, you may not copy, decompile, reverse engineer, disassemble, attempt to derive the source code of, modify, or create derivative works of the iPhone Software, iPhone Software Updates, or any part thereof. Any attempt to do so is a violation of the rights of Apple and its licensors of the iPhone Software and iPhone Software Updates. If you breach this restriction, you may be subject to prosecution and damages. By storing content on your iPhone you are making a digital copy. In some jurisdictions, it is unlawful to make digital copies without prior permission from the rightholder. The iPhone Software and iPhone Software Updates may be used to reproduce materials so long as such use is limited to reproduction of non-
copyrighted materials, materials in which you own the copyright, or materials you are authorized or legally permitted to reproduce. THE iPHONE SOFTWARE AND iPHONE SOFTWARE UPDATES ARE NOT INTENDED FOR USE IN THE OPERATION OF NUCLEAR FACILITIES, AIRCRAFT NAVIGATION OR COMMUNICATION SYSTEMS, AIR TRAFFIC CONTROL SYSTEMS, LIFE
SUPPORT MACHINES OR OTHER EQUIPMENT IN WHICH THE FAILURE OF THE iPHONE SOFTWARE OR iPHONE SOFTWARE UPDATES COULD LEAD TO DEATH, PERSONAL INJURY, OR SEVERE PHYSICAL OR ENVIRONMENTAL DAMAGE.
We want to take a look at section 2, passage c. As you can see, there is nothing in the wording that explicitly prevents one from hacking into the device. You are simply not allowed from using various methods to reverse engineer the software. Essentially, Apple is making sure you can't buy an iPhone, figure out how the software works, and then sell a knockoff copy. None of those restrictions point out exploiting weaknesses in the software to gain access to the system.
Also, there is no wording whatsoever in the section (or the rest of the EULA for that matter) that would lead one to conclude that installing third party applications would violate the agreement. It is simply Apple policy to not service iPhones that have been hacked. The process itself is not inherently illegal in and of itself.
So as you can see, using programs such as jailbreak and installing third party applications on the iPhone is not in violation of the EULA. Now, I'm not sure whether the same applies to the iPod touch. I'm going to go look over the touch's EULA to see whether the same applies. If anyone else wants to take a look over as well, you can get all of the license agreements from Apple's Legal page
EDIT: I just took a look at the touch's EULA, and it's identical to the iPhone's EULA. I can't attach it as it's 1.9MB, but you can get it at the Apple Legal page I linked to above.
View attachment iphone eula.pdf