Even if the iPhone isn't officially available in Singapore, there seems to be a demand there.

According to the Straits Times (free registration required to read the article), Apple has threatened retailers in a local mall with legal action if they continue to sell unlocked iPhones. The threat has apparently prompted many vendors to stop selling the iPhone, especially with damage threats of S$1,000 (US$691).

The Straits Times report indicates that Apple’s legal threats rest on a claim that unlocking the iPhone was a violation of the software license agreement. That is not the case in the U.S., where laws provide a specific exemption that allows users to unlock cell phones.

“We used to sell it, but not anymore,” said a sales manager at Royal Plus Pacific, an electronics shop in Sim Lim Square. The shop stopped selling iPhones because they ran out of stock, he said, adding they hadn’t received a threatening e-mail from Apple.

Apple has yet to offer comment on the situation.

When in doubt, deploy the legal hounds.

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