“The release of Apple’s iPhone in Australia could be illegal under current trade practices laws, according to a group of Queensland law researchers,” AAP reports.
“The legal hiccup could delay the arrival of the must-have gadget phone, which is expected in Asia and Australia some time this year,” AAP reports. “However, some are concerned that the phone’s exclusivity deals with mobile carriers is anti-competitive. ‘The iPhone is breaking new ground in using technology to restrict customer’s choice in technology markets,’ Queensland University of Technology (QUT) law researcher Dale Clapperton said.”
MacDailyNews Take: Axe, meet your grinder, Dale.
AAP continues, “Apple employ a similar strategy in Australia it could fall foul of the Trade Practices Act provision dealing with third-line forcing. ‘This law will greatly simplify the task of seeking redress for such behaviour through the courts and could prove a deterrent for exclusive release of the iPhone with one carrier,’ Mr Clapperton said.”
“The situation would be different to what currently exists in Australia, where mobile phone carriers can SIM-lock a phone to prevent its use on another network,” AAP reports.
MacDailyNews Take: Need more input, Stephanie. What exactly would be different if an Apple-partnered carrier locked an iPhone to prevent its use on other networks as part of an exclusive deal?
AAP reports, “Mr Clapperton believes any future release of the iPhone in Australia should be non-exclusive.”
MacDailyNews Take: No, you don’t say, really?
Full article here.