Can I ask to unlock my phone after 12 months?

[Doohickey]

I've searched but can't find where I heard this from (I swear it was from these forums)... I have an old D500 from my Orange contract, but have since upgraded from it. Now that I've 'paid off' the phone, i.e. been on the contract for >12 months, will Orange let me have an unlock code (for free?). I'm sure I read this somewhere...