English law: http://www.legislation.gov.uk/ukpga/2002/31/section/1

You can change the information if you are the manufacturer or you have the written permission of the manufacturer. Owning the phone is not enough.

I don't know what the laws are like for other countries, or if other countries even have such specific laws.

TY for the correction. American here, so I should have stated that my belief is based on my understanding of that marketplace. The legislation in this arena is admittedly more aggressive in Europe.