Australia post office box keys

[minifhncc]

Hi all,

I've always been wondering, are Australia post PO box keys (the Lockwood 7 pin ones) illegal to duplicate? (by laws or patent)

The reason I ask is that it does say "Do not duplicate" on there, but I recently found that Silca sells a keyblank (LW 21R I think) for that key, which is unusual if the key is actually restricted.

And also, if they aren't restricted (which they probably aren't) then were they ever restricted?

Thanks

[aussielocky]

No legal or customary restriction AFIK.

[lunchb0x]

Yes they used to be restricted but not any more, not sure how long it has been out of patency but I always remember having the Silca blanks at work, so I would think that it would of been more than 7 years since they were restricted?

[globallockytoo]

easily 25 years since the restriction was effective. Most locksmith respected the "perceived restriction" by requesting a signed request on company letterhead (usually to make people jump through some hoops and frustrate them).

[minifhncc]

I wonder what the idea behind restricting PO box keys is anyway... I mean, what advantage could one gain by copying it?

I also wonder if Silca would ever make copied MLJ series or X95/X59 keyblanks, or even MLV. I think these have been out of patency for a while... Although I think there is a manufacturer that makes the J series blanks at the moment...

[Gozzo]

I think the " Do not duplicate " is more to add piece of mind to the average Joe that the previous owner of the P.O Box didn't make a copy so they could go back and rip off said boxes contents, although I would be suprised if Aussie post didn't change the locks around when said keys are handed in. But Mr and Mrs average, unlike most here dont realise,that switching locks is simple as tying shoe laces.
Gozzo

[globallockytoo]

I used to do a lot of work for Aussie Post back in the late '80s after the demise of their own locksmith division. We had a contract to change post office boxes as they became vacated. Mostly we just rekeyed existing ones for them and let their maintenance people put them in themselves.

The reason they were initially restricted, was to require patrons to pay $50 for a spare key at the post office.....another money maker for them. After many years of no availability except the post office, Lockwood released blanks to a limited number of locky's australia wide. And then Edmonds (I think) copied the profile after the design registration ran out.