» UNION HAS LAUNCHED A new guide to highlight the issue of misleading claims around key copy protection , advising merchants to be vigilant against such claims to avoid the fallout that can result from misusing trademarks . The new guide warns that claims made by some suppliers of cylinder locks to promote their products – such as “ unlimited trademark protection ” and “ lifetime trademark protection ” – are misleading . This is because they imply that the keys are legally protected from unauthorised copying , when in fact a trademark cannot protect a functional element of a product , such as the crosssection of a key . |
The new guide coincides with the launch of UNION ’ s premium and comprehensive master key cylinder range , keyMASTER , which provides building managers with complete control of who can access different areas of their buildings .
With the new keyMASTER range patented until 2036 , specifiers and decision-makers can rest assured that only authorised partners can supply replacement keys , and these
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will always be cut from genuine blanks . In addition , both keyMASTER ’ s key and cylinder are protected by two patented features , essentially doubling up the key copy protection credentials of the platform . Craig Birch , Head of Product Management at UNION , comments : “ The idea of ‘ copyright protection ’ or ‘ lifetime trademark protection ’ has long been a myth in our industry , and one that |
only someone with a good knowledge of trademark law is likely to see through .
“ The risk of being taken in by these false claims is significant , with the potential fallout from selling products that misuse trademarks including litigation , orders to remove misleading claims , large fines and even imprisonment . It is therefore vital that this message is understood throughout the industry and that only claims of patent protection are given any credence when it comes to key copy protection .”
To download the new guide , please visit https :// d3oaxe41u6vpgy . UNION KeyMASTERKeyProtection Guide . pdf
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» HAVING SUCCESSFULLY achieved UKAS accreditation for its new Fastener Testing Laboratory , Warringtonfire is reminding manufacturers that the UKCA marking deadline is looming , and that new or updated products planned for launch in 2023 need to be tested to be able to be sold in the UK .
Under the UK Construction Products Regulation , from 1st January 2023 , manufacturers of structural timber fasteners and fixings within the scope of the UK Designated Standard BS EN 14592 must successfully complete the UKCA testing process for any new product to be placed on the GB market .
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The move comes as the UK transitions away from the EU-recognised CE Marking . Products undergoing a change in their specification , for instance , fasteners and fixings that have a change in design or coatings , will also need to be re-tested to gain the UKCA marking and confirm their stated performance .
For this reason , Warringtonfire has launched its state-of-the-art Fastener Testing Laboratory , which is located in High Wycombe . One of only a select few UKAS-accredited ‘ Approved Laboratory ’ facilities , the laboratory can undertake assessments of performance for structural timber fastener
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and fixing products , so that manufacturers can UKCA mark them to BS EN 14592 .
The laboratory achieved the accreditation thanks to the expertise of its technicians as well significant investment into high-calibre testing equipment , which includes a universal testing machine for compression and tensile testing , a series of bespoke testing rigs , and conditioning rooms for structural timber samples .
The organisation will offer a range of geometric and mechanical testing procedures for dowel type fasteners from a particular group of structural timber fixings , comprising of nails , screws , staples , dowels
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and bolts with nuts . The laboratory will also test steel fixings used to create joints between timber components or to attach other materials to timber .
Alongside offering fastener and fixing testing , the laboratory can also offer thirdparty certification through its BM TRADA Q-Mark certification scheme .
www . warringtonfire . com
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