When it comes to technological freedoms, at iCall we believe that it's your right as a consumer to be able to fully utilize the devices that you've paid for. On March 8th, 2009, iCall CEO Arlo Gilbert and CTO Andy Muldowney found themselves standing outside of the Library of Congress preparing to testify before the U.S. Copyright Office.

On one side of the room were the lobbyists group representing the large cell phone carriers including Verizon, T-Mobile, AT&T, and by relation, Apple. On the other side, sat two mere mortals from iCall alongside the Electronic Frontier Foundation (the EFF).

According to the provisions of the DMCA, every three years the U.S. Copyright Office holds a forum to give an opinion on the next three-years of guidelines regarding anti-circumvention measures for cell phones. The Register of Copyrights then makes recommendations on what should be put into law.

What does all this have to do with the iPhone? Jailbreaking, or the ability to install third-party software on your phone, as well as SIM unlocking both fall under Section 1201 of the DMCA.

Of all iPhone developers, iCall was the only one present at this rule making hearing. As software developers and believers in consumer rights, we felt that it was our responsibility to our customers to stand up for what we believe. We can only hope that our voice helps the Copyright Office come up with a recommendation that benefits iPhone users everywhere.

To learn more about the rulemaking hearing or to listen to audio transcripts of the hearings, visit the US Copyright Office §1201 Rulemaking Hearing Agenda web site, Arlo Gilbert testified on Friday May 8, 2009.

"Listen to the Audio here - Arlo is the second speaker":http://www.copyright.gov/1201/hearings/2009/transcripts/5809pm2-1.mp3