HP Apologises For 3rd Party Ink Block Update (Kind Of)

The most recent firmware update 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. We should have done a better job of communicating about the authentication procedure to customers, and we apologise. Although only a small number of customers have been affected, one customer who has a poor experience is one too many.”

HP will “issue an optional firmware update that will remove the dynamic security feature” The ‘optional’ update will be available within a few weeks.

The EFF had argued in their public campaign that the move by HP to only allow users to install ‘genuine’ HP ink cartridges is “rightly decried by economists and competition regulators as an invitation to monopoly pricing and reduced competition and innovation. HP customers should choose HP ink because it is the best, not because their printer won’t work with a competitor’s brand.”