legal - Android Community

Antitrust claim filed in Europe against Google over Android

By Shane McGlaun
on 9 Apr, 2013

An official antitrust complaint has been filed against Google in Europe having to do with the Android operating system. The court complaint alleges that Google is using its mobile operating system in deceptive ways. The complaint was filed by Fairsearch Europe.

West Virginia lawmaker wants to ban Google Glass while driving

By Shane McGlaun
on 25 Mar, 2013

A lawmaker from West Virginia named Gary G Howell wants to ban the use of Google Glass and similar products while driving. Howell is a Republican member of the West Virginia Legislature and believes that Google Glass and similar products pose a danger to drivers. He goes so far as to say that a driver using something like Google Glass while driving poses a similar risk, if not more significant risk to drivers than texting and driving.

AT&T will unlock your mobile phone

By Robert Nelson
on 8 Mar, 2013

The topic of mobile phone unlocking has been rather hot since it became illegal back on January 26. Regardless of how many people actually plan to unlock a phone, it seems that this is a topic that is not ready to go away. We have seen everything from a petition to the White House to talk from the FCC chairman and even the Wireless Consumer Choice Act. Basically, it seems that everyone wants this decision to be reversed. In fact, we are now hearing from AT&T on this very subject.

Wireless Consumer Choice Act aims to make cell phone unlocking legal

By Robert Nelson
on 7 Mar, 2013

For those who may have missed the news, it became illegal to unlock your smartphone as of January 26. That change in the law came as a result of tweaks that were made to the DMCA back in October 2012. Of course, since the time when this became illegal we have seen everything from petitions to talk coming from the FCC chairman.

White House responds: It’s time to legalize phone unlocking – and tablets

By Cory Gunther
on 4 Mar, 2013

This afternoon the White House has responded to the ongoing debate regarding unlocking our smartphones for use on other carriers. Their official response shows support for the consumer to have the choice should they please once they're no longer on contract, and the White House even mentions tablets. For those worried that unlocking cell phones is now illegal, read on for more details.

FCC chairman talks cell phone unlocking and current ban

By Robert Nelson
on 1 Mar, 2013

As of late January it became illegal to unlock your phone. This came as a result of some changes to the Digital Millennium Copyright Act (DMCA) that were actually put in place back in October 2012. Basically, as it stands now -- you are not allowed to unlock your phone. That simply means that you cannot buy a phone for one carrier and unlock it for use on another carrier.

Petition to make unlocking phones legal hits goal – now up to Uncle Sam

By Cory Gunther
on 21 Feb, 2013

Back on January 26th, it officially became illegal for phone owners to unlock their phones and smartphones for use on other carriers. Well, it's illegal to do so without the carriers consent and full cooperation. After the law went into place many were upset and a petition was started to make it legal again, today we're happy to announce the petition reached its goal of 100,000 signatures.

PSA: Unlocking your phone is illegal starting today

By Cory Gunther
on 26 Jan, 2013

In case you haven't heard, starting today it will be illegal for users to unlock their phone. Yes a device you've actually paid for. While this has absolutely nothing to do with root, jailbreak, and tweaking phones like we all love to in the Android Community, it's still a shame. Thanks to some edits and tweaks made the the DMCA back in October it's now illegal to unlock a phone without carrier consent.

Apple multitouch patent tentatively declared invalid by USPTO

By Eric Abent
on 7 Dec, 2012

Most of us are already familiar with Apple's '949 multi-touch patent, more famously know as "The Steve Jobs patent." It has been used against a number of companies in patent suits, but unfortunately for Apple, the United States Patent and Trademark Office declared today that all 20 claims of it are invalid. FOSS Patents reports that the USPTO did so with a first Office action, which is considered to be something of a preliminary action.

HTC and Apple settle patent issues, agree to 10-year licensing deal

By Craig Lloyd
on 10 Nov, 2012

HTC and Apple have just announced that they're settling all of their patent disputes, and have agreed to a 10-year licensing deal with one another, as well as dismissing all of their current lawsuits against each other. The license extends to current and future patents held by both companies.