It could be possible that the iPhone be illegal in Australia. According to a group of Queensland law researchers, under current trade practices laws the release of the iPhone in Australia could be illegal. Apparently the exclusivity deal that Apple strikes with its carrier partner (like AT&T in the US) could be a cause of concern under Australia’s Trade Practices Act provision dealing with third-line forcing.

The iPhone is expected in Asia and Australia some time this year. This is what Queensland University of Technology (QUT) law researcher Dale Clapperton had to say on the issue: “If Apple enter into an exclusive agreement with any particular carrier then it would be a matter for the ACCC (Australian Competition and Consumer Commission) as to whether that agreement was anticompetitive and contravened the trade practices act.” “It would be like Ford deciding that from now on all of the cars they produce can only use be used with petrol from Shell.” “If you fill your car up with fuel from BP the ignition system will detect that and shut down the car.” “Forcing consumers to deal with third-party companies for unrelated products and services is a fundamentally bad thing for competition. Guess we will have to wait and see what Apple does to tackle the issue because right now they are declining to comment on the issue.