HP's Latest Stunt: Taken from "The Current Powered By Kim Kommando" 2024-01-11 "HP's latest stunt: A recent printer firmware update blocks non-HP ink. Folks are pretty mad, given their...

Jimmy T Loc: Virginia

Taken from "The Current Powered By Kim Kommando" 2024-01-11
"HP's latest stunt: A recent printer firmware update blocks non-HP ink. Folks are
pretty mad, given their printers now reject third-party cartridges. Yeah, HP's
staring down the barrel of a class-action lawsuit."

Heads Up,
JimmyT Sends

BebuLamar

Jimmy T wrote:

Taken from "The Current Powered By Kim Komman... (show quote)

I do not think so. Many companies are doing it now with Inks and camera companies with batteries. I don't see a lawsuit will win.

Shellback Loc: North of Cheyenne Bottoms Wetlands - Kansas

BebuLamar wrote:

I do not think so. Many companies are doing it now with Inks and camera companies with batteries. I don't see a lawsuit will win.

It will be interesting if it goes to court - I can see the consumer saying HP set the precedence by allowing it even though the technology to prevent it has been around for some time - basically, it’s grandfathered in and HP should not be able to change it - for new printers, yes, HP should be able to block it but the documentation must clearly state that no third party is allowed. We’ll see what happens.

Mr. SONY Loc: LI, NY

I gave away my HP inkjet printer because they wanted, errr required I leave it on 24-7.
2am in the morning it liked to do a reset while we were sleeping!!!!!

bobbyjohn Loc: Dallas, TX

I read someplace that printer companies, like HP, have an onboard chip in the printer. That's what prevents you from using third party cartridges. Third party vendors of cartridges for such a printer will sell you the non-OEM cartridge along with a replacement chip that you install in the third party cartridge, but for an extra cost. Alternatively, they will for free give you instructions how to remove the chip from the old cartridge and install it in the new cartridge.

Wyantry Loc: SW Colorado

bobbyjohn wrote:

I read someplace that printer companies, like HP, have an onboard chip in the printer. That's what prevents you from using third party cartridges. Third party vendors of cartridges for such a printer will sell you the non-OEM cartridge along with a replacement chip that you install in the third party cartridge, but for an extra cost. Alternatively, they will for free give you instructions how to remove the chip from the old cartridge and install it in the new cartridge.

I have a Canon color printer with four cartridges (CMYK). Each has a “chip” that totalizes toner usage. When the “proper” level is reached, the entire bugger-machine shuts down!

The refills I bought had an option for replacement chips ($2.oo each) with refill toners. The procedure is to cut a small plastic tab, remove old chip, replace with new, and tape edge of new chip in place. Works.

As an alternative, one fellow devised a chip re-programmer running on an Arduino device. Fasten probes to old chip, run program and Bingo! Chip is reset.

wrangler5 Loc: Missouri

The antitrust laws used to prevent things referred to as "tying arrangements" where the maker of a product required that you use their parts and supplies to keep the product running. I believe it's what made Kodak separate the cost of Kodachrome film and its processing - originally they only sold the film with (Kodak) processing included. I've always wondered why these rules didn't apply to the kind of conduct HP is now engaging in.

HamB

Epson did this several years ago.

BebuLamar

HamB wrote:

Epson did this several years ago.

Essentially all inkjet printer companies do it. I don't see a lawsuit for it. Just hope they don't make it illegal if you hack the printer to use non oem ink.

Floyd Loc: Misplaced Texan in Florence, Alabama

HamB wrote:

Epson did this several years ago.

And they lost. They can make using non-Epson ink void the warranty on the printer and they can make the printer tell you they know you are not using their ink and that doing so voids your warranty; however, Epson then must allow you to use whatever ink you choose.
My experience also found another little hidden bomb. Regardless the reason or how long you have been an Epson customer, once the warranty is voided, their customer service will not answer any questions.

RCJets Loc: Virginia

I have an Hp Envy 5660 printer I have been using for several years now. No issues at all. Ink has not been a problem . I am on HP's Instant Ink program. For $4.23 a month, when my ink is getting low, the printer which is online, let's HP know and I receive a new cartridge in the mail. If I should happen to run out prior to receiving the new cartridge, a quick phone call has HP activating a reserve mode (for lack of a better term) and I'm good for a few days until my new ink arrives.

I've been a happy user from day one.

NDMarks Loc: Dublin, Ca

Ink cartridges are the reason why I threw my HP printer in the recycle can. HP gives the printers practically away but makes up for it in ink. That's why I went to an Epson ECO Tank printer and have never regretted the decision. I remember that Keurig tried the same stunt years ago with their coffee brewers and as I recall it didn't work out so well either.

wrangler5 Loc: Missouri

I switched to the Epson Eco Tank system for this past year's Christmas pictures (from the Canon Pro-10s I'd been using for 6 years.) For its price, the 6-tank Epson is a pretty cheesy scanner and copier compared to my 12 year old HP all in one which is still going strong (knocking furiously on wood!!), and its paper trays don't hold much paper. But Epson isn't going to make a lot on their ink going forward, so they can't give away the printers like they used to. And the print quality, output speed and ease and speed of occasionally topping up big ink tanks compared to refilling 10 cartridges in each of the Canons made printing ~1,100 images over 10 days in December (for binding into books that were given to family at Christmas) a real pleasure.