Haubenrich, John.  "The iPhone and the DMCA: Locking the Hands of Consumers."  Vanderbilt Law Review.  Vol. 61.5 (2008) 1507-1553.

Haubenrich delves into the role that the Digital Millennium Copyright Act (DMCA) plays in the debate regarding the unlocking of iPhones and the resulting user experience.  The article first provides a background into the DMCA regulations and the effect that it has on the wireless phone industry.  It offers that, on one hand, iPhone users expect complete ownership of their devices as well as their choice of network.  However, wireless providers and product designers like Apple want to protect their copyright and maintain their successful business in the wireless industry.  The note comes out on the side of the consumer when it argues that the question of cell phone unlocking should not be addressed by copyright policy.  In conclusion, the author calls upon Congress and scholars to examine telecommunication law to resolve the rights relating to locks on mobile phones.  The argument is that without these barriers from wireless providers, there will be a better network, more innovation and more competition, which will benefit all mobile phone users.

The DMCA is one of the most important pieces of copyright legislation and its implementation plays an important role in technology policy.  By acknowledging the iPhone locks are not an appropriate use of this policy, this legal expert urges consumers to have greater control over their wireless device.  Many iPhone applications are accessible only through the unlocking or jailbreaking of one's iPhone.  Because all apps need to be officially sanctioned by Apple to be in the app store, anything not sanctioned must be downloaded illegally.  For instance, the iPhone has a camera but no available video camera app.  By jailbreaking one's phone, a user can download this kind of app and proceed to use their phone for this new purpose.  This note relates to Wu's idea of the Wireless Carterfone because the separation of the iPhone from the DMCA regulations parallels Wu's frustration with network attachments.