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A couple of months ago, Apple started limiting customers to two iPhones each. For an unspecified reason, it has decided to lift that restriction, upping the number to as many as five iPhones per person.

Apple instituted the two-iPhone limit in October in an attempt to stem the tide of iPhones bought, unlocked to work with carriers other than AT&T, and sold on the grey market at the time. Apple's COO pointed out that of the 1.4 million iPhones sold up to that point, 250,000 were never connected to AT&T's wireless network.

AT&T wasn't the only one missing out on the monthly service revenue generated by these 'lost' iPhones, however. Apple is reportedly getting a significant piece what each iPhone user shells out to make voice and data calls on AT&T’s wireless network as well

So why did Apple have a change of heart?

It's not clear. Perhaps Apple is too flush with iPhone inventory. Or, maybe, the number of international unlocks started to decrease with the last month's release of the iPhone in several European—the U.K., German and French—markets. Also, reportedly the smartphone isn’t doing nearly as well in Europe, especially Germany, as it has done it the U.S.

Whatever the reason, the ability to buy five iPhones should be good news to those who've been jonesing (and able to afford) to give several people the hottest gadget of 2007 this holiday season.

If you’re thinking about purchasing more than two iPhones, for whatever reason, you might want to do so quickly. You never know when Apple may change its mind and go back to its two-iPhone limit per customer again.