SOLDIERX.COM Nobody Can Stop Information Insemination

I have a friend who has access to a large amount of SD cards that were used to hold GPS maps for a car company's built in GPS. They came out of upgraded units. When he tried to format them in his laptop they won't format. He said the lock lever is in the unlock position.

I may be able to get some of these over the weekend to look at. Is it possible there is a software lock on them and if so any way to override it? Normally the SD cards are just thrown away.