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Unlocked iPhones Disappear from Singapore Stores

Friday, December 7th, 2007 at 8:50 AM - by

Several retailers in Singapore's Sim Lim Square mall stopped selling unlocked iPhones after Apple's legal team threatened legal action. Apple warned the retailers that they could be liable for US$1,000 for each iPhone they sold since they aren't authorized to sell the hacked handhelds, according to The Straits Times.

The iPhones had been unlocked so they could be used with any cell carrier by applying unauthorized hacks. While reselling the combination iPod and smart phone in its locked state doesn't violate Singapore laws, hacking the software to unlock it violates copyright laws.

Keystone Law Corp associate director Han Wah Teng commented "What you pay for is only the licence to use the software. You still need permission from the software owner to reproduce or modify it."

While unlocked iPhones may not be visible on Sim Lim Square store shelves any more, that doesn't mean customers can't get them. At least one store at the mall claims it can "bring in" the handheld for interested customers.

Apple is hoping to officially launch the iPhone in Asia some time in 2008.

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