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Comment by Moto7451 | Hacker News Reader

I've never had a problem having "DO NOT COPY" keys copied. When I was the manager of a store I had to get multiple copies of the door keys and case keys at various times working there. OSH, Home Depot, etc didn't ask me any questions, just made my copies and sent me on my way.

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The hardware store where I had a "DO NOT COPY" key reproduced asked if I wanted "DO NOT COPY" stamped on the copy.

Interesting. I once tried to get a copy of a key to a security lock (a fact I didn't know) in Germany. The guy in this tiny little shop (which I'm sure would otherwise be happy for every customer) had one look at the key, then handed it back to me straight away. He wouldn't do it.

Maybe I should have just gone to a couple of other shops?

Same sort of experience in the UK, when trying to get a copy of my front door key made. You needed the original barcode that came with the keys to order copies.

That's probably the reason why a lot of keys here in Switzerland nowadays have chips on them as well.

I assume European lock smiths are a little bit more suspicious when it comes to copying keys ...

Or he couldn't do it. Some keys require specialized fabrication hardware, which can get really expensive.

Did you have proof of (home I suppose) ownership with you? If not he didn't do it because it would have been against the law.

No, as I said, I wasn't even aware that it was a secure key. I can't remember exactly what the key was for, presumably to the door of my rental apartment.

If I remember correctly, the renter isn't allowed to copy keys (presumably because he could then use them to break in to the flat a few years later).

But your comment only addresses part of the point.

You had no problem, but you had to retain physical access to the key for long enough to get it to the store and back.

With this service, that requirement goes away.

I'm not saying it was impossible before, but this makes abuse a whole lot easier and potentially much more widespread.

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