Post Tagged with: "iphone"

61 Reforms to C-61, Day 15: TPMs – No Exception for Cell Phones

The 61 reforms series now shifts to several weeks worth of postings on the fundamentally flawed, dangerous, and stunningly overbroad anti-circumvention provisions in Bill C-61.  The digital lock rules have rightly been the primary focus of attention for most groups as they are far more restrictive than the Liberal's C-60, more restrictive than approaches in other countries such as New Zealand, and arguably even more restrictive than the rules under the U.S. DMCA.  The Canadian DMCA goes far beyond what is needed to comply with the WIPO Internet treaties and ultimately have the effect of eviscerating fair dealing in the digital environment. 

Even with the many reforms I plan to propose, the reality is that these provisions will still be problematic.  I question the need for anti-circumvention legislation (as do countries like Israel which declined to include it in their recent set of reforms).  If the government is committed to anti-circumvention legislation, however, major amendments are critical.

With an eye on the launch of the Apple iPhone in Canada today, I start the anti-circumvention problems with their effect on locked cellphones.  As currently drafted, the bill could make it an infringement to unlock a cellphone and would certainly make the distribution of programs used to unlock cellphones (or service providers that do so) illegal.  Why is this the case? 

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July 11, 2008 13 comments News

iPhone Stocks Low in Rogers Stores

The CBC reports that Rogers stores carried very small stocks – just 100 for its flagship store – of the Apple iPhone, consistent with earlier rumours about limited stock.

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July 11, 2008 5 comments News

Rogers Caves to iPhone Complaints With New Data Pricing

The Globe and Mail reports that Rogers has bowed to public pressure on iPhone data pricing by now offering 6 GB for $30 for consumers that sign up before the end of August.

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July 9, 2008 11 comments News

Canadians Face Triple Lock on Apple iPhone

Amid rumours that Apple is scaling back on its delivery of the iPhone to Rogers, my weekly technology law column (Toronto Star version, homepage version) focuses on the Canadian debut this week of the Apple iPhone. The arrival of a Canadian iPhone is expected to generate long lines at Rogers Wireless stores, though the pre-launch publicity has not been particularly smooth for the company.  Its announcement of iPhone service pricing set off a wave of online protest, as consumers noted the absence of an unlimited data plan, higher prices, and longer contractual commitments.  The Rogers offer is not particularly surprising.  Canada ranks toward the very bottom among developed countries for cellphone penetration as the lack of competition leaves Canadians with some of the highest prices for wireless services in the world.  Indeed, Rogers has a monopoly on the iPhone since it is the only Canadian carrier currently capable of carrying the device.

Most of the public criticism has focused on the uncompetitive data rates that render it difficult to maximize the iPhone’s potential.  Yet the bigger story is how the Canadian version of the device features a triple lock that is the result of onerous contracts, technological locks, and a legislative proposal from Industry Minister Jim Prentice that simultaneously locks consumers in, while locking the competition out.

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July 7, 2008 26 comments Columns

Canadians Face Triple Lock on Apple iPhone

Appeared in the Toronto Star on July 7, 2008 as Popular iPhone Debuts This Week More than one year after the Apple iPhone hit store shelves in the United States, the hugely popular device makes its Canadian debut on Friday.  The arrival of a Canadian iPhone is expected to generate […]

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July 7, 2008 3 comments Columns Archive