I went to my usual Facebook feed because I join an IT Support Group (not mentioning the specific name of the group), they were talking about how upset they are because HP (Hewlett Packard) decide to change the rules on Ink and Toner Cartridges by introducing DRM policy. DRM stands for Digital Rights Management. There are 2 versions of DRM, one version is called IP (Intellectual Property) which we all know about the legal stuff regarding the Copyright and Trademark. Another one is about Manufacturer Ink Cartridges.
What is the DRM version of Ink Cartridge?
Very good question. This basically means that each printers has a firmware chip that detects branded and non-branded cartridges.
Branded are Original Manufacture or Re-Manuaftcure (refill inks by the original manufacture).
Non-Branded are 3rd party ink cartridges. They can be recycle or eco-friendly inks.
Why people buy Non-Branded inks?
Because they cost cheap and less as running costs. They are cost effective and are compatable with the printers.
Because they cost cheap and less as running costs. They are cost effective and are compatable with the printers.
What is the deal and why the Tech community are upset about the DRM rule?
Let is go straight to the point of this. What has basically happen is because of people complaining about how the printers are faulty when they are new because the consumers has modify the printers by using 3rd party ink cartridges. When these faulty printers return to the HP Assembly for assessment, the HP Engineers and Technician notice that the consumers are using recycle inks.
Let is go straight to the point of this. What has basically happen is because of people complaining about how the printers are faulty when they are new because the consumers has modify the printers by using 3rd party ink cartridges. When these faulty printers return to the HP Assembly for assessment, the HP Engineers and Technician notice that the consumers are using recycle inks.
Since this was an ongoing issue HP decide to update the printer firmware so that way the printers can only take Original and Branded refill inks so that way the consumers will not void warranties. This basically means you can no longer use and recycle or non-HP eco friendly ink and have no choice but to use pay for an expensive original cartridges.
Here is a link for the article: https://gizmodo.com/hp-printers-drm-update-block-third-party-ink-1850211997
This is one of the article, however there are lots of articles about this.
I made a video in defence of why I support the idea of HP using DRM policy on printer.
I made a video in defence of why I support the idea of HP using DRM policy on printer.
I am going write what I mention on the video.
A lot of techs are not going to like this but I will say my peace on the video.
Basically, at my workplace the company I work for uses 3rd party ink cartridges because they are cost effective. We all like to by inks which are cheap and save money which we all have no problem with. We all like to have low-cost solutions.
Unfortunately, the 3rd party/eco-friendly recycle inks started to degrade the print quality and also causes the printer's health and lifecycle.
The printer lifecycle is usually 5 years or more if the printer still works, however, because of use to recycle cheap cartridge, the print quality degrades and the printer last a year before it wears and tear, all because of 3rd party cartridge. So they resort to and start using original HP ink more often which is most cases remedy the problem. Recently that I notice that new firmware has prevent from using recycle ink because this will keep the warranty intact. HP stated that using recycle inks nullify warranty when buying HP Care pack.
This now become a controversy to the IT Tech Community because HP are doing this to protect the investment and the product. Also to remind the consumer that if you use cheaper solution by buying recycle in save cost, they are voiding a warranty and doing this at their own risk. HP will be responsible for the consumers' action as HP stated that they do not support 3rd party cartridges.
