Ok, that was a great read lol.
I sought out the videos, the original (now reinstated after abusive copyright strike): https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=YjzlmKz_MM8
Follow-up with no pre-prep after being called a liar: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=MbQp5JcQwLA
For a moment, I thought the lockpicker was Lockpicking Lawyer, but it's someone else.
Proven Industries owner Ron Lee (...) was a triple felon
I'm sure that looks great on a resume
“Sucks to see how many people take everything they see online for face value,” one Proven employee wrote. “Sounds like a bunch of liberals lol.”
This alone explains the entire company, really
Things went on this way for some time, as the judge wondered, “Did the plaintiff bring a lock and a beer can?” (The plaintiff did not.) She appeared to be quite disappointed when it was clear there would be no live shimming demonstration in the courtroom.
Under questioning, however, one of Proven’s employees admitted that he had been able to duplicate McNally’s technique, leading to the question from McNally’s lawyer: “When you did it yourself, did it occur to you for one moment that maybe the best thing to do, instead of file a lawsuit, was to fix [the lock]?”
LOL
On July 7, the company dismissed the lawsuit against McNally instead.
Proven did a great speedrun of self destruction.
"Sucks to see how many people take everything they see online for face value,” one Proven employee wrote. “Sounds like a bunch of liberals lol.”
On May 1, Proven filed a federal lawsuit against McNally in the Middle District of Florida, charging him with a huge array of offenses: (1) copyright infringement, (2) defamation by implication, (3) false advertising, (4) violating the Florida Deceptive and Unfair Trade Practices Act, (5) tortious interference with business relationships, (6) unjust enrichment, (7) civil conspiracy, and (8) trade libel. Remarkably, the claims stemmed from a video that all sides admit was accurate and in which McNally himself said nothing.
Company wants to shut down negative reviews of their shitty product by gaslighting the public and intimidating his family.
Sounds like a bunch of fascists.
Hahaha wow, they self destruct.
Sure would be a shame if there were a bunch of searches for "proven locks fail", "proven locks alternative", "proven locks shimmy" etc...
Reading that article was easily the best five minutes of humor I had in several days.
Who are you and how did you get in here?
Ah, aside from the racism and death threats to the lock company owner, that's a funny read. The best part is how it concludes: the company knew how to take mockery in stride with a smart response video.
Just, somehow, the Florida man owner got his feelings hurt and just had to make a mess of things (and later try and seal the records after losing so badly lol).
Can't believe I read the entire thing. Big hooha about nothing.
Under questioning, however, one of Proven’s employees admitted that he had been able to duplicate McNally’s technique, leading to the question from McNally’s lawyer: “When you did it yourself, did it occur to you for one moment that maybe the best thing to do, instead of file a lawsuit, was to fix the lock?”
Litigation over innovation; that’s the American way.
One of the funniest things I saw when this was unfolding on youtube is that McNally works for Covert Instruments, AKA the Lockpicking Lawyer's company. Proven Industries couldn't have fucked up more if it was deliberate.
“Sucks to see how many people take everything they see online for face value,” one Proven employee wrote. “Sounds like a bunch of liberals lol.”
There it is. These companies that are run by old, rich, white men think they are owed your money. Any and all criticism, no matter how true, is hand-waved away as "wacky liberal extremists". But some people still know how to cite their sources and offer proof.
Proven also had its lawyers file “multiple” DMCA takedown notices against the McNally video, claiming that its use of Proven’s promo video was copyright infringement.
McNally didn’t bow to the pressure, though, instead uploading several more videos showing him opening Proven locks. In one of them, he takes aim at Proven’s claims about his prep work by retrieving a new lock from an Amazon delivery kiosk, taking it outside—and popping it in seconds using a shim he cuts right on camera, with no measurements, from an aluminum can.
Republicans are literally ruining America and the world. I had no feelings prior to this, now I will tell every single friend and family member to never, ever buy a Proven lock...
Companies attacking security researchers always goes so well for them.
The YouTuber RunkleOfTheBailey has some really good videos documenting this case.
Wow this is so good. Love the judge in this case:
Proven had demanded a preliminary injunction that would stop McNally from sharing his videos while the case progressed, but Proven had issues right from the opening gavel:
LAWYER 1: Austin Nowacki on behalf of Proven industries.
THE COURT: I’m sorry. What is your name?
LAWYER 1: Austin Nowacki.
THE COURT: I thought you said Austin No Idea.
LAWYER 2: That’s Austin Nowacki.
THE COURT: All right.
When Proven’s lead lawyer introduced a colleague who would lead that morning’s arguments, the judge snapped, “Okay. Then you have a seat and let her speak.”
I love this guy. His videos have shown me to never trust locks
Is this the guy who shimmed the entite cylinder out of one of those supposedly unpickable locks with just a piece of soda/beer can?
Edit: Skimmed too fast. It was that guy.
What a great build up and a cathartic well deserved pay off
Lest this [the clapback] seem like mere high spirits and hijinks, Lee’s partner and his mother both “received harassing messages through Facebook Messenger,” while other messages targeted Lee’s son, saying things like “I would kill your f—ing n—– child” and calling him a “racemixing pussy.”
Ahhh the internet I know and love, never change
@Powderhorn 10M complains to producer for "not sufficient security" in theirs products sounds not bad as defence line... ^^ ;p
Or using a square or trowel as a weapon
Is it?
Even if you own said lock?
What a fun story. That company seemed to be staffed by a bunch of snowflakes. Even had to bring liberals into it.
Sucks to see how many people take everything they see online for face value,” one Proven employee wrote. “Sounds like a bunch of liberals lol.
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