Printer Makers Are Crippling Cheap Ink Cartridges Via Bogus 'Security Updates'
Found on Motherboard on Wednesday, 17 October 2018
Printer maker Epson is under fire this month from activist groups after a software update prevented customers from using cheaper, third party ink cartridges. It’s just the latest salvo in a decades-long effort by printer manufacturers to block consumer choice, often by disguising printer downgrades as essential product improvements.
Hardware makers began cooking draconian restrictions into printers, ranging from unnecessary cartridge expiration dates to obnoxious DRM and firmware updates blocking the use of “unofficial” cartridges.
Along with net neutrality, there is a clear need for ink neutrality too.