Mozilla, Skype Align Against Apple in iPhone Jailbreaking Dispute

CUPERTINO, Calif. — Skype and Mozilla have aligned themselves against Apple's bid to make it a crime to crack iPhones.

Earlier this week, Steve Jobs' empire filed a complaint with the Library of Congress in an effort to hit consumers with fines and possible jail time for circumventing the operating system on their iPhones. The process, also known as "cracking" or "jailbreaking" an iPhone, opens the device up to black-market applications.

Apple's complain came in response to a petition from the Electronic Frontier Foundation (EFF) to protect consumers' right to tinker with hardware as they see fit.

Now two prominent tech companies have lent their voices to the EFF's cause. The two companies have sent filings to the U.S. Copyright Office in support of the EFF. Apple has argued that each instance of iPhone jailbreaking constitutes a violation of their copyright, punishable under the Digital Millenium Copyright Act. Mozilla and Skype have asked for a DMCA exemption for jailbreaking.

Both Mozilla and Skype are outsiders in the iPhone world. Skype lent its support to the EFF to help users add Skype service to their phones, which is apparently unavailable now.

“Copyright law should not interfere with a user using his or her phone to run Skype and enjoy the benefits of low- or no-cost long-distance and international calling,” said a Skype representative.

Mozilla, meanwhile, is working on a mobile web browser called Fennec, which will compete with Apple's Safari on other mobile devices. Mozilla has no plans to bring Firefox to the iPhone because, according to Mozilla CEO John Lilly, it's "not welcome."

Apple has fought against jailbreaking since the release of the iPhone by making it difficult and hazardous to crack the iPhone OS.

According to Apple, cracked iPhones and unauthorized apps befoul the iPhone's "ecosystem," and to be sure, Apple has built a tightly run ship for its users to ride on. One important side-effect of Apple's pristine ecosystem has been the relegation of all adult apps to the iPhone's flourishing black market.

For more information on the EFF, visit EFF.org. In addition, the EFF has set up a website for consumers to follow the case at FreeYourPhone.org.

Related:  

Copyright © 2025 Adnet Media. All Rights Reserved. XBIZ is a trademark of Adnet Media.
Reproduction in whole or in part in any form or medium without express written permission is prohibited.

More News

2025 XBIZ Amsterdam Website Launches With Call for Speakers

XBIZ is pleased to announce that the website for its annual European conference, XBIZ Amsterdam, is now live.

NC Governor Vetoes Bill Targeting Adult, Could Face Override

North Carolina Governor Josh Stein today vetoed a bill imposing new regulations that adult industry observers have warned could push adult websites and platforms to ban most adult creators and content.

25,000 Sign Petition to Legalize Pornography in Ukraine

An OnlyFans model’s petition to decriminalize pornography in Ukraine has amassed the 25,000 signatures required for official consideration by President Volodymyr Zelensky.

WannaCollab Joins Pineapple Support as Supporter-Level Sponsor

WannaCollab has joined the ranks of over 70 adult businesses and organizations committing funds and resources to Pineapple Support.

FSC Unpacks SCOTUS Age Verification Ruling in Webinar

The Free Speech Coalition conducted a public webinar Tuesday to help adult industry stakeholders understand the Supreme Court’s recent decision in FSC v. Paxton, and its potential implications.

UK Lawmaker Calls for Appointment of 'Porn Minister'

Baroness Gabrielle Bertin, the Conservative member of Parliament who recently convened a new anti-pornography task force, is calling for the appointment of a “minister for porn,” according to British news outlet The Guardian.

FSC Toasts Jeffrey Douglas for 30 Years of Service

n the very same evening when the adult industry was hit hard by the Supreme Court ruling supporting Texas’ controversial age verification law, HB 1181, members of the Free Speech Coalition board, staff and supporters gathered to celebrate Jeffrey Douglas’ 30 years as board chair — a fitting reflection of his reputation as an eternal optimist.

TTS Opens UK Testing Location

Talent Testing Service (TTS) has opened a new U.K. location in Ware, Hertfordshire.

FSC: Age-Verification Laws Go Into Effect in South Dakota, Georgia, Wyoming on July 1

The Free Speech Coalition (FSC) has published a statement regarding new age verification laws set to go into effect tomorrow in South Dakota, Georgia, and Wyoming.

FSC Responds to Supreme Court Decision on Texas AV Law

The Free Speech Coalition (FSC) has released a statement responding to last week's Supreme Court decision on FSC v. Paxton, the Texas age verification law.

Show More