Shulou(Shulou.com)11/24 Report--

CTOnews.com May 14, Hewlett-Packard recently released a "firmware" update, resulting in printer users using competitive ink cartridges unable to print properly. Hewlett-Packard printers used to display warnings when inserting "third-party" cartridges, but now the printer will refuse to print altogether.

HP said the update was designed to reduce the risk of malware attacks because "third-party ink cartridges using non-HP chips or circuits may pose a threat to hardware performance, print quality and security." Hewlett-Packard also said it would update its services regularly, such as reminding some users of insufficient ink.

However, according to Hewlett-Packard's website, the company also blocked the use of competitors' ink cartridges, which officials said was to "maintain the integrity of our printing system and protect our intellectual property rights."

The update sparked outrage among users who complained on social media that they felt "cheated" and that Hewlett-Packard cartridges tend to cost more than twice as much as third-party cartridges.

This is not the first time HP has annoyed users by banning other ink cartridges. Since the introduction of "dynamic security" measures in 2016, the company has been forced to pay millions of dollars in compensation to users in the United States, Australia and European countries.

Just last year, the company paid $1.35 million (CTOnews.com Note: about 9.396 million yuan) to consumers in Belgium, Italy, Spain and Portugal because they bought their printers without knowing that they had disabled ink cartridges.

A spokesman for Hewlett-Packard said it uses "dynamic security" printing machines to mark its product packaging, technical materials and various online materials. Not all Hewlett-Packard printers are equipped with dynamic security measures, they said, but did not specify which models and which did not. According to its website, all HP standard printers block ink cartridges that use non-HP chips or circuits. Some third-party cartridges reuse Hewlett-Packard chips or circuits, and these cartridges work properly, the spokesman added. Some users can disable HP's disabled ink cartridges in their printer settings, but it depends on the printer model, while others can only use HP-approved ink cartridges to make the printer work.

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