How important is key copy protection to you? – Understanding Patent Protection

When reviewing the current lock you have on your door or considering getting a new lock, do you keep in mind your home or building’s security needs or the crime rate of the environment?

Full protection has a few requirements; from your locks body material to whether it allows for master keying or not. But have you considered ensuring you’re protected from illegal key copying? This is an important factor which is often overlooked but offers complete protection from unauthorised key duplication.

The keys supplied with a cylinder lock system, and the availability of additional keys thereafter is as important as the locks itself and its security features. With many cylinder locking systems to choose from, additional keys can be illegally obtained without your knowledge.

Legal protection against unauthorised key duplication does exist by means of patent protection and restricted keyways where only authorised locksmiths can make key copies. Below we will look at design registration and patent protection and how it protects you against key copying.

Design Registrations

A design registration is a right given to the visual appearance of a product for a period of up to 25 years. It is concerned with the shape, configuration, pattern, ornamentation and look of a product.

The purpose of the design registration right is to deter anyone from copying the look of your product. But like trademarks, a design cannot be registered if the features of the shape are purely functional, meaning that the shape is a functional part of a product. Therefore, design registration will not provide you legal protection against key copying.

Patent Protection

A patent is a right given for an invention to prevent others from making, selling, using or importing a particular product or process for a period of up to 20 years. For an invention to be patentable, it needs to be new, useful and non-obvious.

Patents are solely concerned with the functional aspect of a product or process. ASSA ABLOY’s CY110 reversible key cylinder combines a high security appearance with proven pin-tumbler design. This cylinder comes with a patented key card, offering you protection against key copying.

Patents are important as they provide their owners with the assurance that legal protection against unauthorised use of the invention will be maintained throughout the lifetime of the patent. In the case of key copy protection, the function of a key is covered within patent law.

This means that when you purchase a patented cylinder, you can rest assured knowing that no one can make copies of your keys without authorisation from you. The CY110 patented cylinder from ASSA ABLOY offers patent protection.

The keys for this patented cylinder can only be duplicated by authorised locksmiths who have the correct cutting tools, and upon presentation of your unique pin code and security card for identification as the rightful owner.

This patented cylinder is also made to resist drilling for up to 5 minutes and is equipped with anti-pick security features to ensure that no one can pick your lock.

If key copy protection is a requirement for you, then a key and cylinder lock system with a current patent is the solution for you.

When reviewing your current locking systems or considering a new cylinder locking system for your premises, it is important to ask the following questions; does the solution offer key protection?

What forms the basis of their protection? Which should be a patent, and what management process is supported to ensure your protection against unauthorised key copying?

To find out more about ASSA ABLOY’s range of patented cylinder locks contact ASSA ABLOY on 011 761 5000 or send an email to za.info@assaabloy.com