Hi Eddan-

So was Ace asserting some kind of copyright or other IP control over the correlations between the key codes and the locks?   That's funny: like copyrighting the names & numbers in the phone book;-)

What kind of lawful right would Ace have had to control those codes?  I don't see any.

Classic case of "security by obscurity" in the face of the data being openly available to anyone who just looks.  That plus Ace not having adequate steps in place to verify the identity of people asking for duplicate keys ("security by laziness";-).  (As if any burglar is going to order keys and wait a week to get them, when smashing a window provides instant gratification?)

Meanwhile, it's since been demonstrated that Ace locks and other tubular locks of same size, are tremendously easy to pick with a tool anyone can make from a Bic pen housing. 

To my mind the main value of learning to pick locks is to become more aware of one's own security environment: particularly the degree to which we very often depend on crappy locks, and then, with the newly-acquired situational awareness about locks, the degree to which we very often leave open all manner of other security holes in our physical surroundings.  Nothing says "replace your front door lock now!" like being able to pick it with two paper clips in less than a minute.  And then you look at the big window right next to the front door... and the un-shredded bills you put in the recycle bin with your name & account numbers all over them... and the valuables in the back seat of your car... etc. 

Next is the ability to get into places one has auth to be in: such as when one locks oneself out of one's own house or car (or in my case, PBX room on client site after hours, blush...).  

Equally is the ability to do likewise for friends (have done that a handful of times).

And from that, the generalization to our entire subculture, of the degree of security awareness we should have all the time. 

Picking locks is like being able to disassemble, clean, and reassemble a firearm: that skill does not make a law-abiding person start contemplating committing murders.  But it might make one start to think more about personal safety on the streets at night. 

Lastly, I'll fess up to something.  I think it's cool as hell when people who ordinarily hack around with software, start hacking around with _mechanical_ stuff.  I'm bigtime in favor of people learning how to hack around with _mechanical_ stuff.  "Physical layer" as new playground.  To this list add your home appliances (the ones with motors in 'em) and rotary dial phones, but that's another topic for another day.

TTYs-

-G.


=====


On 13-02-28-Thu 10:35 AM, Eddan Katz wrote:
Chicago Lock v. Fanberg is the case I was telling you about last night, J.D. - http://scholar.google.com/scholar_case?case=17605115413487325945.
Author of lock-picking manuals gets sued by the manufacturer of the locks. Chicago Lock loses on its trade secret misappropriation claim. Here's an excerpt from the facts of the case -

Appellant Victor Fanberg, the son of locksmith Morris Fanberg and a locksmith in his own right, has published a number of locksmith manuals for conventional locks. Realizing that no compilation had been made of tubular lock key codes, in 1975 Fanberg advertised in a locksmith journal, Locksmith Ledger, requesting that individual locksmiths transmit to him serial number-key code correlations in their possession in exchange for a copy of a complete compilation when finished. A number of locksmiths complied, and in late 1976 Fanberg and his father began to sell a two-volume publication of tubular lock codes, including those of Ace locks, entitled "A-Advanced Locksmith's Tubular Lock Codes." In 1976 and 1977 Fanberg advertised in the manuals in the Locksmith Ledger for $49.95 and indicated that it would be supplemented as new correlations became known. See Excerpt at 95-98. About 350 manuals had been sold at the time of trial. The District Court found that Fanberg "had lost or surrendered control over persons who could purchase the books," id. at 98, meaning that nonlocksmiths could acquire the code manuals.

The books contain correlations which would allow a person equipped with a tubular key grinding machine to make duplicate keys for any listed Ace lock if the serial number of the lock was known. On some models, the serial numbers appear on the exterior of the lock face. Thus, Fanberg's manuals would make it considerably easier4*403 (and less expensive) for a person to obtain (legitimately or illegitimately) duplicate keys to Ace locks without going through the Company's screening process. This is what caused consternation to the Company and some of its customers. At no time did Fanberg seek, or the Company grant, permission to compile and sell the key codes. Nor did the individual locksmiths seek authorization from the Company or their customers before transmitting their key code data to Fanberg.



On 2/27/13 11:20 PM, J.D. Zamfirescu wrote:
more:

http://www.insidebayarea.com/breaking-news/ci_22683660/oakland-mayor-jean-quan-apologizes-promoting-lock-picking


On Wed, Feb 27, 2013 at 10:15 PM, Matthew Senate <mattsenate@gmail.com> wrote:
It's awesome, free press!


On Wed, Feb 27, 2013 at 9:40 PM, rusty lindgren <rustylindgren@gmail.com> wrote:
Oh dear gawd.  This is possibly the most moronic piece of "journalism" I have ever seen. 

Are they unaware of the fact that you can go to a lock-picking school(actually it teaches you way more), and that this is just a cheaper version of that?  (see: http://www.lock411.com/training.html).  

 Also, virtually no crime in Oakland involves skilled lock-picking, because it's a waste of time.  

Don't worry though, you can train in deadly martial arts, go to the shooting range, and buy ninja swords just about anywhere in Oakland, but picking a Masterlock is "appalling".  

-Rusty


On Wed, Feb 27, 2013 at 7:31 PM, Anca Mosoiu <anca@techliminal.com> wrote:
Hi everyone,

Heads up. Looks like some folks aren't too happy that people are learning how to pick locks this weekend.


Here is Oakland Local's response:


Anca


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