In the Version Tree Browser window, you can lock, obsolete, or unlock a branch object. You must first determine whether a branch is locked or obsolete. (The commands are unavailable until you select the branch object.) A window indicates whether the branch is locked, unlocked, or obsolete.
Locking a branch disables all ClearCase® operations that modify the branch, but does not affect read-only operations. If you are the object creator, element owner, VOB owner, or root, you can lock a branch.
An obsolete branch is locked and also is not listed by certain forms of commands.