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: 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.