Sidebar Sidebar
Become a MacRumors Supporter for $50/year with no ads, ability to filter front page stories, and private forums.

Legality surrounding selling unlocked iPhones

mrat93

mrat93

macrumors 68020
Original poster
Dec 30, 2006
2,353
3,421
I'm trying to find a new way to make money, but my dad wants to make sure my idea is 100% legal. From what I've read, unlocking an iPhone for one's self is legal, however, selling an unlocked one is not. I've also read instructions on how to use the free unlocking service, AnySIM. The instructions look simple enough that nearly anyone can do it themselves. My question is: Is it legal to sell the phone with unlocking software (not unlocked) so someone else can unlock it for themselves (legal)?

An additional note: I know there is currently no AnySIM for OTB 1.1.2 iPhones yet.
 
If you're selling just the software with the phone for more than the phone costs, you're charging for other people's work. If you're charging for anything more than your own time, you're basically stealing someone else's profit...

I suppose you could always email the developers who created the software.

Besides, though, if you unlock the iPhone, you're stealing the money AT&T is paying to subsidize the iPhone...

I'm pretty sure that it's illegal, though who knows if you're actually going to be prosecuted, either way, I'd say it's an extremely dirty way to make a bit of cash...
 
It's too much of a pain in the ass and you won't make enough for your time and effort.
 
mrat93 said:
An additional note: I know there is currently no AnySIM for OTB 1.1.2 iPhones yet.
Click to expand...



So doesnt that kill your business plan right there? What about then 1.1.3 comes out? This sounds like a bad idea , not from a leagl standpoint , but tform the point that you have no control over the firmware. Its hard enough getting sales of anything as it is, having to tell people "Sorry , cant help you" 20 times a day will kill your idea.
 
1) There is at least one legal case working its way through court right now about the legality of selling unlocked phones. So it's up in the air right now. Research is your friend. And I don't mean just a five minute search.

2) You're too late. Look on eBay. There are gazillions of people doing what you're talking about, in one way or another.
 
kdarling said:
1) You're too late. Look on eBay. There are gazillions of people doing what you're talking about, in one way or another.
Click to expand...

Yesterday, there were about 900 listings on eBay, ending from $500-$700. There were about 100,000 listings for Wiis this holiday season, and i still made about $500 reselling them.
 
"arbitrage" is the economics term if you're gonna export them to countries dying for unlocked iPhones. I don't think you'd get into trouble with the law if you start selling them... Apple and AT&T probably won't fund you and be your best friends though.
 
thadoggfather said:
"arbitrage" is the economics term if you're gonna export them to countries dying for unlocked iPhones. I don't think you'd get into trouble with the law if you start selling them... Apple and AT&T probably won't fund you and be your best friends though.
Click to expand...

Grey market importers is the term you are also looking for ... and it can get you into some hot water if you import items for resale.

In the UK they seized the stock and shipping containers of a company importing game boxes before they went on sale in the UK.

Get big enough doing it and you can lose quite a bit of money if they nail you and take all the stock you have and freeze your bank accounts.
 
You must log in or register to reply here.
Register on MacRumors! This sidebar will go away, and you'll see fewer ads.
Top Bottom
Back