After the House of Representatives passed a bill to give U.S. mobile phone users have the right to unlock their device, all that remains now is for President Barack Obama sign off the bill and make it law.
The Senate has already waved through legislation.
"The bill passed Congress ... is a further step towards giving ordinary Americans more flexibility and choice, so that they can find a wireless service provider that meets their needs and their budget," Obama said.
U.S. Federal Communications Commission, together with consumer interest groups, was hot under the collar when the Copyright Office of the Library of Congress - reversed its longstanding position and explained that it was a violation of the Digital Millennium Copyright Act for consumers - in 2012 unlock new phones without permission their wireless provider - Importance OfInformation Technology in Pakistan.
The "injury" applied even to customers outside their contract periods. As such, those who unlock their phones did face criminal sanctions..