iPhones were occupying France for the holiday season, after French carrier Orange moved into a deal with Apple for distribution rights.

Only in France, the Apple and Orange will join to offer the iPhone unlocked.

It is decided after Apple met a barrier when a French law challenges its international policy of banning unlocking.

Locked version of phone will cost €399, yet Apple has not announced the price of unlocked version. The cost may be more, though as French law mandates, Apple must agree to sell phones unlocked at no premium after six months.

In USA, no laws denote state locking a phone to network is illegal, though recent class action suits have accused Apple and its USA carrier, At&T, for violating US. antitrust and warranty laws.

Apple is highly against unlocking iPhones due to fact it makes large reduction of the phone contract. In the past, Apple has opposed to installation and development of unauthorized third party applications for its devices. iPod Touches and iPhones with third party apps or unlocked iPhones into “iBricks,” are turned by update.

Unlocking software available unfreezes the devices, costing $100. Apple has had to deal with recent reports of iFires, accusations of environment misconduct, and using toxic materials in its iPhone.

Apple will continue to fight with unlockers and legal issues in U.S.

According to a new letter by Apple CEO Steve Jobs, Apple softened its position on third party software. In that, Jobs encourages third party developers and revels that Apple will be offering them a software development kit in February.

No indication is given by Jobs that Apple would take measures to unbrick iPhones or iPod Touches that were bricked due to previous unauthorized third party applications.