diff --git a/mods/CORE/mcl_util/init.lua b/mods/CORE/mcl_util/init.lua
index 4684234e5..a79c970cd 100644
--- a/mods/CORE/mcl_util/init.lua
+++ b/mods/CORE/mcl_util/init.lua
@@ -728,3 +728,48 @@ function mcl_util.set_bone_position(obj, bone, pos, rot)
 		obj:set_bone_position(bone, pos or current_pos, rot or current_rot)
 	end
 end
+
+--[[Check for a protection violation in a given area.
+--
+-- Applies is_protected() to a 3D lattice of points in the defined volume. The points are spaced
+-- evenly throughout the volume and have a spacing similar to, but no larger than, "interval".
+--
+-- @param pos1          A position table of the area volume's first edge.
+-- @param pos2          A position table of the area volume's second edge.
+-- @param player        The player performing the action.
+-- @param interval	    Optional. Max spacing between checked points at the volume.
+--      Default: Same as minetest.is_area_protected.
+--
+-- @return	true on protection violation detection. false otherwise.
+--
+-- @notes   *All corners and edges of the defined volume are checked.
+]]
+function mcl_util.check_area_protection(pos1, pos2, player, interval)
+	local name = player and player:get_player_name() or ""
+
+	local protected_pos = minetest.is_area_protected(pos1, pos2, name, interval)
+	if protected_pos then
+		minetest.record_protection_violation(protected_pos, name)
+		return true
+	end
+
+	return false
+end
+
+--[[Check for a protection violation on a single position.
+--
+-- @param position      A position table to check for protection violation.
+-- @param player        The player performing the action.
+--
+-- @return	true on protection violation detection. false otherwise.
+]]
+function mcl_util.check_position_protection(position, player)
+	local name = player and player:get_player_name() or ""
+
+	if minetest.is_protected(position, name) then
+		minetest.record_protection_violation(position, name)
+		return true
+	end
+
+	return false
+end
diff --git a/mods/ITEMS/mcl_ocean/mod.conf b/mods/ITEMS/mcl_ocean/mod.conf
index 9b639a7b0..a50609f52 100644
--- a/mods/ITEMS/mcl_ocean/mod.conf
+++ b/mods/ITEMS/mcl_ocean/mod.conf
@@ -1,4 +1,4 @@
 name = mcl_ocean
 description = Includes various ocean nodes
-depends = mcl_core, mcl_sounds, mcl_dye
+depends = mcl_core, mcl_sounds, mcl_dye, mcl_util
 optional_depends = doc, doc_items, screwdriver
diff --git a/mods/ITEMS/mcl_ocean/seagrass.lua b/mods/ITEMS/mcl_ocean/seagrass.lua
index 8213fec10..8f319b29f 100644
--- a/mods/ITEMS/mcl_ocean/seagrass.lua
+++ b/mods/ITEMS/mcl_ocean/seagrass.lua
@@ -39,13 +39,7 @@ local function seagrass_on_place(itemstack, placer, pointed_thing)
 		return itemstack
 	end
 
-	if minetest.is_protected(pos_under, player_name) or
-			minetest.is_protected(pos_above, player_name) then
-		minetest.log("action", player_name
-			.. " tried to place " .. itemstack:get_name()
-			.. " at protected position "
-			.. minetest.pos_to_string(pos_under))
-		minetest.record_protection_violation(pos_under, player_name)
+	if mcl_util.check_area_protection(pos_under, pos_above, placer) then
 		return itemstack
 	end
 
diff --git a/mods/ITEMS/mcl_smoker/init.lua b/mods/ITEMS/mcl_smoker/init.lua
index 696df4917..81f3c366f 100644
--- a/mods/ITEMS/mcl_smoker/init.lua
+++ b/mods/ITEMS/mcl_smoker/init.lua
@@ -88,11 +88,10 @@ end
 --
 
 local function allow_metadata_inventory_put(pos, listname, index, stack, player)
-	local name = player:get_player_name()
-	if minetest.is_protected(pos, name) then
-		minetest.record_protection_violation(pos, name)
+	if mcl_util.check_position_protection(pos, player) then
 		return 0
 	end
+
 	local meta = minetest.get_meta(pos)
 	local inv = meta:get_inventory()
 	if listname == "fuel" then
diff --git a/mods/ITEMS/mcl_smoker/mod.conf b/mods/ITEMS/mcl_smoker/mod.conf
index c6bda0fc1..c2c49db62 100644
--- a/mods/ITEMS/mcl_smoker/mod.conf
+++ b/mods/ITEMS/mcl_smoker/mod.conf
@@ -1,3 +1,3 @@
 name = mcl_smoker
-depends = mcl_init, mcl_formspec, mcl_core, mcl_furnaces, mcl_sounds, mcl_craftguide, mcl_achievements, mcl_particles
+depends = mcl_init, mcl_formspec, mcl_core, mcl_furnaces, mcl_sounds, mcl_craftguide, mcl_achievements, mcl_particles, mcl_util
 optional_depends = doc, screwdriver