Apple to Kill Jailbroken iPhone, iPod Touch and iPad with New Pending Patent Application
Apple's so adamant about preventing users from jailbreaking their iDevice that it even went as far as applying for a new patent to - in effect - freely identify and penalize users who engage in suspicious behaviors, including removing the device's SIM card and jailbreaking.
Filed in February last year, published just last Thursday and currently awaiting approval, the patent covers measures to identify "activities that may indicate suspicious behavior" done on an iDevice so "safety measures" can be taken to restrict its functions. These activities include the "hacking, jailbreaking, unlocking, or removal of a SIM card."
As stipulated in the patent application, upon detection of unauthorized use, "access to particular applications can be restricted, access to sensitive information can be restricted, sensitive information can be erased from the electronic device...," effectively bricking it.
In July 2010, US Copyright Office declared and ruled that jailbreaking an iPhone is legal citing that "the activity of an iPhone owner who modifies his or her iPhone’s firmware/operating system [...] fits comfortably within the four corners of fair use." Apple has nonetheless responded to this by repeatedly reminding users that jailbreaking an iDevice will void its warranty.
Seriously, what's up with this new patent application? Isn't it illegal to collect information about people and their activities without their consent?
Filed in February last year, published just last Thursday and currently awaiting approval, the patent covers measures to identify "activities that may indicate suspicious behavior" done on an iDevice so "safety measures" can be taken to restrict its functions. These activities include the "hacking, jailbreaking, unlocking, or removal of a SIM card."
As stipulated in the patent application, upon detection of unauthorized use, "access to particular applications can be restricted, access to sensitive information can be restricted, sensitive information can be erased from the electronic device...," effectively bricking it.
In July 2010, US Copyright Office declared and ruled that jailbreaking an iPhone is legal citing that "the activity of an iPhone owner who modifies his or her iPhone’s firmware/operating system [...] fits comfortably within the four corners of fair use." Apple has nonetheless responded to this by repeatedly reminding users that jailbreaking an iDevice will void its warranty.
Seriously, what's up with this new patent application? Isn't it illegal to collect information about people and their activities without their consent?
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