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Lexmark Invokes DMCA in Toner Suit

Posted by michael on from the all-the-weapons-at-your-disposal dept.

Rhyas writes "Seems as though Lexmark has decided it wants all the pie when it comes to the printing world, as they are suing a company that does reselling of chips that allow third party toner cartridges to work in Lexmark printers. Cindy Cohn, an attorney at the Electronic Frontier Foundation, said she expected more cases like the one brought by Lexmark. 'We have long said that the DMCA's potential use as an anti-competitive tool has been great,' Cohn said. 'Now we're seeing it happen.'" The European Union is taking action against the practice of embedding chips in printer cartridges which make it difficult for third parties to sell refills.

2 of 446 comments (clear)

  1. EU Reason - reduce waste by Talisman · · Score: 2, Troll

    The EU is doing it primarily so that users can refill the ink/toner cartridges they already own in a effort to decrease the amount of crap going into landfills or incinerators.

    They are not, at least on the surface, doing it to discourage competition in the marketplace.

    Talisman

    Wanna get pissed?

    --

    "Study your math, kids. Key to the universe." -The Archangel Gabriel
  2. Microsoft Cash by Anonymous Coward · · Score: 0, Troll
    In related news, Microsoft has announced that all future rebates from Microsoft, and hardware makers which use Microsoft tools to create device drivers, will be paid with Microsoft Cash (TM).

    Microsoft Cash (TM) can be used like cash at approved major retailers which display the MiCash logo, when purchasing Microsoft-certified products and groceries. MiCash can also be used online with Microsoft Passport licensees, by using the MiCash Shredder to read the secure code in the embedded chip while spending the MiCash.

    Microsoft-certified groceries may cause intestinal distress in some people, particularly those who have not touched a Microsoft License Hologram since 1998. Microsoft is not responsible for the consequences of such irresponsible action by obvious software thieves.