[Verizon Samsung Galaxy S III] abissel22:
Aparently samsung does have the rights to the locked bootloader. This tech support associate says that samsung has released a bootloader unlock code to be purchased on their developer site. However it aslo seems samsung is trying to tax the developers and play the community like a violin. Here is the online chat with samsung:

Please wait for a Samsung Agent to respond.

You are now chatting with 'Patrick'. There will be a brief survey at the end of our chat to share feedback on my performance today.

Your Issue ID for this chat is LTK56401447245X

Visitor: Hello, Patrick

Patrick: Hi, thank you for contacting Samsung Technical Support. How may I help you today?

Visitor: I looking for an answer to a very common question about the galaxy s3, however i can not find a solid definite answer. What is the status of the locked bootloader in terms of actually unlocking it? and why was it locked in the first place?

Patrick: Please give me a moment while I go through the inquiry.

Visitor: okay

Patrick: Thank you.

Patrick: I am glad to assist you.

Patrick: Have you unlocked the device from carrier.

Visitor: no, i have not. i have the verizon version and have not modified it in any way

Patrick: Thank you for the information.

Patrick: In order to unlock the device I request you to please contact the carrier support team.

Patrick: You can contact Verizon support at 1-888-466-4646.

Click here to reach them online.

Visitor: i am looking to unlock the bootloader. the bootloader i have heard is locked by manufacturer, not verizon

Visitor: i am not looking to unlock the carrier, this is completely different

Visitor: the bootloader is what allows us developers to flash a custom kernel/firmware onto the device

Patrick: Thank you for the details.

Patrick: Would you mind If I take 3 minutes while I gather the required information on your request?

Visitor: no, problem. go right ahead

Patrick: Thank you.

Patrick: Thank you for holding.

Patrick: You can purchase the unlock code for the bootloader from the developer's site from the below given link.

Patrick: developer.samsungmobile.com/Developer/index (dot "jsp')

Visitor: thank you very much. however, isnt this taxing us for being developers?

Patrick: May be we are not sure about the taxing information.

Visitor: the developers improove further on your products and i believe that alone should allow an unlock code. and i cant seem to find the place to purchase it regardless

Patrick: I understand your concern.

Patrick: For more information on your query you can contact our voice support team.

Patrick: I appreciate the patience you displayed while we worked together on this issue.

Patrick: You can contact our dedicated Galaxy S phones voice support team at 1-877-EZ2GALAXY (1-877-392-4252).They are available 24/7.

Visitor: before you go could you please give me a direct link to the purchase site for the unlock code?

Visitor: for refrence. i would reccomend it to other developers if it is reasonably priced

Patrick: I am sorry to say that we do not have the direct link to purchase site for the unlock code.

Visitor: does it really exist yet?

Patrick: Yes, It exists as it is required for every developer.

Visitor: i mean the website

Patrick: I am sorry we so not have the specific weblink on your requirement.

Patrick: *Do.

Visitor: The website does exist though, is that correct?

Patrick: Yes.

Visitor: okay. i will contact samsung further after i look into this. thank you for your time.

Patrick: You're welcome. Is there anything else I can assist you with?

Visitor: would you know the price of the actual unlock code?

Visitor: for the bootloader

Patrick: As the technical support department we do not have the information on the actual cost for the unlock code.

Visitor: okay, and do you have actual proof of the websites existance so i am confident i am not wasting my time?

Patrick: Would you mind If I take 3 minutes while I gather the required information on your request?

Patrick: Please be on hold while I confirm your query.

Visitor: Go ahead

Patrick: Thank you.

Patrick: Thank you for holding.

Patrick: According to our information there exist the website which provides the detailed information on the cost for unlock code with the model number and all the information related to the unlock code is included.

Visitor: I am sorry, but that does not seem like much proof to me. do you have further information?

Patrick: For more information on your query you can contact our voice support team.

Patrick: You can contact our dedicated Galaxy S phones voice support team at 1-877-EZ2GALAXY (1-877-392-4252).They are available 24/7.

Visitor: Cant you give me the information?

Visitor: This is a tech support chat.

Patrick: I am sorry to say that as the technical support department we do not have the information on unlock code.

Visitor: Then who will? Shouldnt tech support be responsible for technical issues? if not, then who exactly can i talk to about this issue?

Patrick: I'm sorry for the delay. I'll be right with you.

Patrick: I do understand your concern. If we do have details about unlock boot loader from our end, I would have provided details. Unfortunately, we do not have details from our end.

Visitor: Then who would have the information? Samsung designed the phone. This is getting tedious.

Patrick: In this regard, please contact our voice support team once. If they do have details, they will assist you further.

Patrick: You can contact our dedicated Galaxy S phones voice support team at 1-877-EZ2GALAXY (1-877-392-4252).They are available 24/7.

Visitor: Okay. however this has not been as hulpful as i had hoped. thank you for o=your time though and i do not have any further requests.

Patrick: I will be right with you.

Patrick: It was a pleasure assisting you. Thank you for contacting Samsung Technical Support. Have a wonderful day!

Visitor: you too. goodbye

This was the exact conversation. However, i modified the outside links because i am not allowed by xda to post them yet. I will be calling samsung soon however not today because i recently had teeth extracted. Once i have healed enough to talk through the long conversations i expect. I will post more about this alleged bootloader unlock code. Feel free to contact them and post your information about an official unlock too.

Edit: Big thanks to AndroidGraphix for this post.

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Here's an official statement. I tried my best to convert it. I actually did end up converted it but youtube wouldn't let me upload an audio file without video content. Anyways, here's the homemade video of me recording the recorded call. I'll also attach it to this post for anyone wanting to download the raw content.

YouTube Video

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=K9qy5wi02_g&feature=youtu.be

Download the Raw Mp3 here: http://dl.dropbox.com/u/25871960/Call%20recording%201877-392-4252%20002.mp3

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