Good news regarding modding

It would seem that the government is catching up with technology.

FOXNews.com - Jailbreak! New Rules Allow Unapproved iPhone Apps

In addition to jailbreaking, other exemptions announced Monday would:

-- allow owners of used cell phones to break access controls on their phones in order to switch wireless carriers.

-- allow people to break technical protections on video games to investigate or correct security flaws.

-- allow college professors, film students and documentary filmmakers to break copy-protection measures on DVDs so they can embed clips for educational purposes, criticism, commentary and noncommercial videos.

-- allow computer owners to bypass the need for external security devices called dongles if the dongle no longer works and cannot be replaced.

I was going to post that also, particularly the part about switching carriers - does that mean someone could bring a Sprint cell to verizon or does verizon still have the right to deny that "foreign" phone access to its network?

The switching carriers refers to "unlocking" a cell phone being legal.

However, a carrier still has the right to deny you the service (particularly concerning Verizon/Sprint as with SIM-cards, you can always just ask for a SIM card and skip a phone).

Essentially, what this allows is legal protection from breaking security barriers on property that they own: video games, DVDs, cell phones, etc.

The main issue was Apple complaining that jailbreaking an iPhone was breaking their copyright, and jailbreakers should be subject to legal action.

This solidifies that owning a product allows you to do what you want with it.

However, Apple can still deny you warranty coverage if you modify your phone.

Again, this, in short, gives you legal protection from being prosecuted for jailbreaking or unlocking a phone, but does not dictate how carriers or companies can react if you should bring your phone to them.