MLA EXPO PREVIEW
WHY IT’ S TIME THE INDUSTRY STOPPED PRETENDING TRADEMARKS EQUAL SECURITY
Neil Rule, MD, Access2 Ltd
» THERE’ S A LOT OF confusion in the key security market, and it’ s not by accident. Here’ s the uncomfortable truth: Trademarks don’ t stop unauthorised key duplication. Patents do.
Some of our competitors are still pushing keys they call“ patented”, but dig a little deeper, and the patent they’ re talking about applies to an internal spring, a design flourish, or a housing finish, not the actual key security mechanism.
That’ s not protection. That’ s misdirection.
We’ ve even seen companies publish white papers defending these practices using outdated EU case law— while conveniently ignoring the DHF’ s Best Practice Guide, which clearly states:
“ Trademarking a key does not provide enforceable security”.
Only a patented key design can give you the legal ground to protect against illegal copies.
Enter: Premier 4 Tigris ® At Access2, we’ re not here to play games. 90 % of our output is patented key systems— because we believe our customers deserve the real deal.
Our latest system, Premier 4, is the next-generation evolution of our markettrusted Premier 3— with one major upgrade: a patent lifespan that runs to
2042. That’ s one of the longest on the market today.
Why does that matter? Because a secure system is a long-term investment. The longer the patent protection, the longer your keys stay exclusive, protected, and profitable.
Dual Protection. Where It Counts. Premier 4 brings more than just a fresh patent, it brings real innovation:
• A unique branch groove keyway for superior duplication protection
• Patented key and cylinder for double the legal security
• Enhanced side elements for complex master keying systems
• Easier key entry— because great security doesn’ t have to be difficult
This isn’ t just about keeping people out. It’ s about keeping confidence in.
www. access2. com
AUGUST 2025
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