[monkeyboy]

not sure why prohibiting the changing of ESNs is not a good thing. ESNs should be treated like VINs on cars, serial numbers of guns, etc. It seems the primary justification for legitimate ESN cloning is getting around ridiculous limitations the carriers impose on service offerings. But the problem is the carrier's ridiculous rules, not that ESNs *should* be arbitrarily changeable by all customers.

I think if you allow an ESN changing free-for-all with software and the means for ESN changing/cloning widely available, you'll end up with a nightmare of hijacked accounts, DOSs of your enemies phones, etc. You mean that its a good idea that I can program my Verizon CDMA phone to any ESN I choose?

Fix the carrier's stupid rules instead, make all fee for services based on the SERVICE, not the device. But don't encourage an ESN free-for-all.