by Bruce Tyson

Created on: August 02, 2010   Last Updated: April 27, 2012

Led by the online jailbreaking Web site JailbreakMe, the market for Apple iPad and iPhone hacks has boomed since the Library of Congress ruling that set users free from restrictions imposed on them by Apple. Although users of the service have prompted a surge of “JailbreakMe not working” reports on the Internet, Apple iPad and iPhone 4 customers have flocked there seeking freedom from the bondage of Apple.

A recent decision by the Library of Congress determined that users of devices such as the Apple iPhone 4 do not infringe the rights of the manufacturer by modifying their phones in violation of their user agreement. This ruling, promoted by the Electronic Frontier Foundation, represents a major setback for Apple policies that restrict what owners of iPad, iPhone, and iPod touch devices can do with their own property. With the fear of repercussions assuaged, the demand for jailbreaking services has spiked, prompting the re-emergence of the popular browser-based JailbreakMe service. 

Although free to modify their Apple devices, users have little recourse except to post “JailbreakMe not working” reports online and hope for help if their jailbreak attempt fails. 

Apple continues to oppose jailbreaking, or the act of circumventing efforts of a manufacturer to close a device to “unauthorized” applications, features, and other options, and has reiterated its policies that may deny service for users with modified devices. Many Apple customers believe that by restricting users to applications available only from its iTunes store, Apple has monopolized the iPhone app market, providing a major boost to its bottom line. Jailbreakers seek to correct this perceived injustice by opening iPhones up to Applications from sources other than Apple.

Although instructions for jailbreaking the iPhone have circulated on the Internet for years, the potential consequences for violating the Apple terms of service have largely dissuaded iPhone owners from modifying their devices. Now free to hack away with impunity, an entire market has emerged, seeking to reap revenue and other rewards by providing applications, modifications, and services outside the official Apple supply chain. In spite of the plethora of “JailbreakMe not working” reports, Jailbreakme continues to be a major provider of jailbreaking services. 

JailbreakMe attracts Apple iPhone customers because it eliminates much of the risk and expense

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