>As of August, Samsung is trying to end that. I guess we'll find out, but it makes little difference except to the carriers who are the main purchasers of Samsung phones to give away to contracting customers. And it'll matter even less once the illicit forks begin- they're already prevalent in Asia, fwiw, e.g. to drive phones with 2 or 3 sims.

on what hinges the "illicit" property of a fork for your definition ?