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Submitted via IRC for Bytram.
Following a story that we reported a few days ago which covered how the latest software update issued by HP for its printers prevented them from working with other cartridges, HP have responded and promise another update to re-enable other ink cartridges. But HP is still defending its practice of preventing the use of non-HP ink and is making no promises about refraining from future software updates that force customers to use only official ink cartridges.
"We updated a cartridge authentication procedure in select models of HP office inkjet printers to ensure the best consumer experience and protect them from counterfeit and third-party ink cartridges that do not contain an original HP security chip and that infringe on our IP," the company said.
The recent firmware update for HP OfficeJet, OfficeJet Pro, and OfficeJet Pro X printers "included a dynamic security feature that prevented some untested third-party cartridges that use cloned security chips from working, even if they had previously functioned," HP said.
For customers who don't wish to be protected from the ability to buy less expensive ink cartridges, HP said it "will issue an optional firmware update that will remove the dynamic security feature. We expect the update to be ready within two weeks and will provide details here."
While I'm sure that we recognise that HP cannot guarantee the operation of any printer not using their own cartridges, how often are similar techniques used to lock-out fair competition? What are your experiences and views?.
(Score: 2) by Nerdfest on Thursday September 29 2016, @03:58PM
They're not on my "avoid" list because of this. Lenovo got added last week. Seems to be a dangerous game basic your business of people having short memories.
(Score: 2) by Nerdfest on Thursday September 29 2016, @03:59PM
Sorry, that should be "on my avoid list".
(Score: 0) by Anonymous Coward on Thursday September 29 2016, @11:32PM
Seems to be a dangerous game basic your business of people having short memories.Are to those condemned it history forget who repeat.
(Score: 2) by driverless on Friday September 30 2016, @08:16AM
They're not on my "avoid" list because of this. Lenovo got added last week.
Not for me, there's no equivalent to my business-grade Thinkpad. And that's the magic keyword, consumer-grade = you're a patsy who's going to get screwed, business-grade = you're paying more not to get screwed. You'll note that none of Lenovo's crapware and backdoors applied to business-grade gear, only to their consumer-grade stuff. Same with HP, I don't think they've pulled this stunt with any of their commercial printers, only the home-user cheapies.
(Score: 2) by Nerdfest on Friday September 30 2016, @09:50AM
Rewarding company that does this sort of thing seems like a bad idea in the long term. It not only encourages them, but others as well.
(Score: 2) by driverless on Friday September 30 2016, @10:02AM
Yeah, which is why I avoid anything from Sony like the plague. OTOH there really isn't any alternative to my Thinkpad, which perhaps colours my opinion of Lenovo somewhat.
(Score: 0) by Anonymous Coward on Friday September 30 2016, @03:23PM
while i understand your point, it's not completely true. they still continue on with the old ibm practice of using bios/uefi whitelists to only allow "their"(relicensed and rebranded) wwan modems. they sell you a computer with an minipci slot and then they go out of their way to cripple it with bios/uefi malware, which is fraud. this includes the business grade computers. i didn't know any company would still be that stupid in this day and age so i found out they hard way. the fact that people have known about this and still continue to buy them is pitiful.