Act for Change, the online activism program of Working Assets, is petitioning Steve Jobs and Apple to unlock the iPhone:

“The iPhone uses technology (known as GSM) that should allow it to work on other wireless networks, including overseas. But Apple has configured the iPhone so you’re forced to use it on AT&T. An iPhone purchased in the U.S. will only work on the AT&T network, regardless of what SIM card is placed in it — it cannot be taken to another GSM network such as T-Mobile.

So, if you’re interested in an iPhone but are turned off by AT&T’s corporate policies — such as turning consumers’ information over to the National Security Agency without warrants, their efforts to wipe out net neutrality, or the close-to-100% Republican giving of their new chairman — you’re out of luck.

It is in fact perfectly legal, according to a recent decision from the U.S. Register of Copyrights, for American consumers to unlock their phones for use on whatever network they would like. Apple is trying to take away that right by locking the iPhone to AT&T’s network.

Sign this petition and add your name to the list of Americans calling on Steve Jobs, the President of Apple, to make the iPhone unlockable so that consumers can use it on networks other than AT&T. Then, forward the petition link on to some friends — let’s all remind Steve Jobs that the reason he’s in business is because of us.”

You can find out more about the petition at the Act for Change site.