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Anti-Competitive Behavior in the Printer Industry?

Posted by ryuzaki0 on from the next-you'll-tell-me-blades-are-overpriced dept.

Greyfox writes: "Here is an interesting story about the printer industry versus ink-cartridge refillers. Anyone who's bought a low-cost inkjet knows that you can spend over half the cost of the printer on ink. So it was only natural that an industry would spring up around refilling the cartridges. Well the printer industry has apparently been fighting back, trying to protect their market share. As with all good stories, legislation is being considered. Worth a read." Sort of like spyware -- it's a back-and-forth battle.

5 of 438 comments (clear)

  1. All well and good by Str8Dog · · Score: 2, Funny

    This is all well and good for your average home user. But god I would hate to try to do technical support on this stuff. Could you imagine trying to explain to someone why their colors look off?

    --


    Str8Dog
    using System.Darkside; public
  2. Interesting quote... by gfxguy · · Score: 2, Funny
    Printer companies say neither effort is aimed at thwarting re-manufacturers.

    "We're really giving customers a benefit they didn't have before," said Epson marketing manager Rajeev Mishra, whose company has installed smart chips on many replacement cartridges. Mishra says it's done so customers can track ink use and other printing statistics.

    Finally all those emails I sent to Epson about being able to track my ink usage and other printing statistics have come to fruition! Because isn't that what we all want? I'd pay twice as much for this feature.

    --
    Stupid sexy Flanders.
  3. Humor - Coming soon, "Inkwrap agreements" by Seth+Finkelstein · · Score: 5, Funny
    I can see it now:

    "This printer is licensed to you, not sold. By printing anything with this printer, you indicate your agreement to use only genuine HI-PRIKED replacement ink cartridges. Any other use invalidates your license. You may terminate this agreement by destroying the printer."

    This will be called a breakthrough in ineffectual property.

    Sig: What Happened To The Censorware Project (censorware.org)

  4. Support HP in its hour of need by Anonymous Coward · · Score: 1, Funny

    If we don't buy genuine HP disposable printer cartridge, Carly won't get her $50M bonus ...

  5. That explains it... by andy@petdance.com · · Score: 3, Funny

    That explains why so many helpful merchants are able to help me "SAVE UP TO 80% ON INKJET REFILLS! ALL MAKES AND MODELS!"