HP sued (again) for blocking third-party ink from printers, accused of monopoly::Suit seeks injunction blocking HP from bricking printers using third-party ink.

  • frunch@lemmy.world
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    2 years ago

    Perhaps they’ll be fined 1/4 day’s profits and carry on like nothing happened ¯\_(ツ)_/¯

    • QuarterSwede@lemmy.world
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      2 years ago

      Bingo. The fines for these behemoths are pathetic. “I know what will work, let’s shake them down for their lunch money!”

      • xektop@lemmy.world
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        2 years ago

        What could work is to impose a daily progressing fine until the firmware change Is reversed and 3rd party ink Is allowed again.

  • Pyr@lemmy.ca
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    2 years ago

    Imagine if you bought Ford and could only fill it up at Ford endorsed gas stations.

  • takeda@lemmy.world
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    2 years ago

    Is there a place to check and compare printers in respect to this?

    I’m currently looking for a printer replacement and don’t want to lock myself to printers like these. I know to stay away from HP as it looks like they are the biggest offender. I know that brother generally was good, but I’m not sure if that still holds true.

    • The Pantser@lemmy.world
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      2 years ago

      I have a Epson Eco tank printer that you just fill the tanks. There is no way for them to prevent you from using any ink you want.

      • Kanzar@lemmy.world
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        2 years ago

        Yeah those CISS style ones are awesome, really glad Epson embraced it after years of customers using 3rd party CISS.

        If I were to get an inkjet again (I have a bw brother laser MFC), it’d definitely be a ciss.

  • Vex_Detrause@lemmy.ca
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    2 years ago

    A lot of things get hacked or tweaked. People make CNC machines out of random motors. I wish someone makes an open source paper printer.

    • ForgotAboutDre@lemmy.world
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      2 years ago

      No one would buy it. That’s the reality.

      Their are two customers for printers businesses that need high reliability and high volume. They will pay more for this, if it’s cost effective in the long term. An open source solution wouldn’t be much cheaper, a business supplying servicing and repairs are still needed. The other are consumers that want something that appears cheap and are too ignorant to asses long term cost. They are served by budget printers sold for a loss. That loss is made up for in by selling them ink that is exorbitantly marked up.

      An open source solution cant be sold for a loss, if the carriages are also open source. Only people ideologically in favour of open source solutions and those that do the maths to estimate long term value of printers.

      Brother laser printers are good value per print. But they cost much more for less features.

    • fxt_ryknow@lemmy.world
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      2 years ago

      Just to add to this… I rarely print anything, but my wife (an elementary school teacher) prints all kinds of stuff! We picked up an eco tank printer from Epson. We’ve had it now for a coupe years and it’s been fantastic! We would replace ink cartridges a few times a year previously… Where as with the eco tank we do about once a year. The print quality has held up, and it’s just been a good little work horse for her!

  • Zombie-Mantis@lemmy.world
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    2 years ago

    If they cannot be trusted to compete fairly in the market, they should not compete in the market. Dissolve them, nationalize them, I don’t care. We can’t afford this bad behavior any more.

  • yuriy@lemmy.world
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    2 years ago

    I was able to install old firmware on an HP printer and circumvent the ink lockout. It’s highly dependant on when your particular printer was made, but it is an option. Just make sure you also turn off all the auto update options.