corner of chip key missing

[marbar]

I purchased a 2001 s40 with one key. I found the lowest price on getting another key from the dealer and was planning to go there next week. But I noticed that the key I have is missing the top corner on one side. This got me wondering if I simply have a broken key, or if some previous owner found a way to bypass the key recognition system. Did they remove the transponder chip from the key? Is that what the missing corner represents? I didn't think this was possible, but thought I'd ask before I shell out the big bucks for another key. The key I have looks like it may be a copy and not an original. The brand of the key is Huf.

Any insights?

[musicman]

Hmmm, maybe it's the groove the recognition system looks for (uneducated guess).
I would just make sure to have vehicle information and even better to have the vehicle itself, if you are going through a dealer it should not be a problem.