IF you even end up having to send it back to SE/Flextronics to have the phone repaired, they will gladly re-brand your phone for you.
I just went through the same scenario. Was quite a bit peev'd when I got my phone back, but was happy that it was working period. Good with the bad as they say! No I too am trying to make heads or tails of this debranding topic. Seems so simple but there's a couple of things in there (such as the customized xml's and type's of firmware) that I just don't get. The ppl explaining them just simply say "...just create a customized xml". HUH! :confused: