Consumer technology rights have long been at the forefront of discussion in the world of technology. The idea is simple: we bought it, we own it: we can do what we want with it. Unfortunately, at a recent review of exemptions to its Digital Millennium Copyright Act (DMCA), the United States Copyright Office has concluded that consumers do not have the right to 'jailbreak' tablets or consoles (a necessary part of heavily customising such devices), though mobile phones (which often run the same operating systems as their larger tablet brethren) are perfectly okay. See the article below from The Verge, and watch SourceFed's video included with this article.
Article: The Verge
I think that once someone buys something that they own that object whether it a cellphone, tablet, gaming console, etc. This hardware once belonged to the manufacturer but they sold it to you, it is yours. I can understand them not wanting it to be changed or further advanced but making it illegal seems a bit extreme. I think it is interesting that with cell phones it is not illegal until January because if it were illegal now there would be many people facing legal problems. I don't think it'll be easy to get permission from phone carriers and the option seems like an empty offer to buyers. I think this is similar to the Bruce Willis case with wanting to be able to pass his music which he has paid for to his daughter. If he has purchased this why is he only considered "renting". The prices are the same as purchasing a hard copy, it's the convenience which makes it desirable.
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