Search Legislation

Mobile Telephones (Re-programming) Act 2002

 Help about what version

What Version

 Help about opening options

Opening Options

Status:

This is the original version (as it was originally enacted).

Legislation Crest

Mobile Telephones (Re-programming) Act 2002

2002 CHAPTER 31

An Act to create offences in respect of unique electronic equipment identifiers of mobile wireless communications devices.

[24th July 2002]

Be it enacted by the Queen’s most Excellent Majesty, by and with the advice and consent of the Lords Spiritual and Temporal, and Commons, in this present Parliament assembled, and by the authority of the same, as follows:—

1Re-programming mobile telephone etc.

(1)A person commits an offence if—

(a)he changes a unique device identifier, or

(b)he interferes with the operation of a unique device identifier.

(2)A unique device identifier is an electronic equipment identifier which is unique to a mobile wireless communications device.

(3)But a person does not commit an offence under this section if—

(a)he is the manufacturer of the device, or

(b)he does the act mentioned in subsection (1) with the written consent of the manufacturer of the device.

(4)A person guilty of an offence under this section is liable—

(a)on summary conviction, to imprisonment for a term not exceeding 6 months or to a fine not exceeding the statutory maximum or to both, or

(b)on conviction on indictment, to imprisonment for a term not exceeding 5 years or to a fine or to both.

2Possession or supply of anything for re-programming purposes

(1)A person commits an offence if—

(a)he has in his custody or under his control anything which may be used for the purpose of changing or interfering with the operation of a unique device identifier, and

(b)he intends to use the thing unlawfully for that purpose or to allow it to be used unlawfully for that purpose.

(2)A person commits an offence if—

(a)he supplies anything which may be used for the purpose of changing or interfering with the operation of a unique device identifier, and

(b)he knows or believes that the person to whom the thing is supplied intends to use it unlawfully for that purpose or to allow it to be used unlawfully for that purpose.

(3)A person commits an offence if—

(a)he offers to supply anything which may be used for the purpose of changing or interfering with the operation of a unique device identifier, and

(b)he knows or believes that the person to whom the thing is offered intends if it is supplied to him to use it unlawfully for that purpose or to allow it to be used unlawfully for that purpose.

(4)A unique device identifier is an electronic equipment identifier which is unique to a mobile wireless communications device.

(5)A thing is used by a person unlawfully for a purpose if in using it for that purpose he commits an offence under section 1.

(6)A person guilty of an offence under this section is liable—

(a)on summary conviction, to imprisonment for a term not exceeding 6 months or to a fine not exceeding the statutory maximum or to both, or

(b)on conviction on indictment, to imprisonment for a term not exceeding 5 years or to a fine or to both.

3Citation etc.

(1)This Act may be cited as the Mobile Telephones (Re-programming) Act 2002.

(2)Sections 1 and 2 come into force in accordance with provision made by the Secretary of State by order made by statutory instrument.

(3)This Act extends to Northern Ireland.

Back to top

Options/Help

Print Options

Close

Legislation is available in different versions:

Latest Available (revised):The latest available updated version of the legislation incorporating changes made by subsequent legislation and applied by our editorial team. Changes we have not yet applied to the text, can be found in the ‘Changes to Legislation’ area.

Original (As Enacted or Made): The original version of the legislation as it stood when it was enacted or made. No changes have been applied to the text.

Close

See additional information alongside the content

Show Explanatory Notes for Sections: Displays relevant parts of the explanatory notes interweaved within the legislation content.

Close

Opening Options

Different options to open legislation in order to view more content on screen at once

Close

Explanatory Notes

Text created by the government department responsible for the subject matter of the Act to explain what the Act sets out to achieve and to make the Act accessible to readers who are not legally qualified. Explanatory Notes were introduced in 1999 and accompany all Public Acts except Appropriation, Consolidated Fund, Finance and Consolidation Acts.

Close

More Resources

Access essential accompanying documents and information for this legislation item from this tab. Dependent on the legislation item being viewed this may include:

  • the original print PDF of the as enacted version that was used for the print copy
  • lists of changes made by and/or affecting this legislation item
  • confers power and blanket amendment details
  • all formats of all associated documents
  • correction slips
  • links to related legislation and further information resources
Close

More Resources

Use this menu to access essential accompanying documents and information for this legislation item. Dependent on the legislation item being viewed this may include:

  • the original print PDF of the as enacted version that was used for the print copy
  • correction slips

Click 'View More' or select 'More Resources' tab for additional information including:

  • lists of changes made by and/or affecting this legislation item
  • confers power and blanket amendment details
  • all formats of all associated documents
  • links to related legislation and further information resources