[HLUG] how to open mac files

[Sarah Chard]

urgent help needed - a friend in france just called me - they had a
complete mac crash and are trying to rescue files on my suggestion using
an ubuntu cd - they can view the files they want but the files are in
their words 'locked' they cannot copy or open them 
I know nothing about macs - anyone have any ideas what the problem is or
how to copy them - as I assume it's a question of permissions
Sarah