HP Brings Back Obnoxious DRM That Cripples Competing Printer Cartridges
from the who-wanted-loyal-customers-anyway dept
Around a year ago, HP was roundly and justly ridiculed for launching a DRM time bomb -- or a software update designed specifically to disable competing printer cartridges starting on a set date. As a result, HP Printer owners using third-party cartridges woke up one day to warnings about a "cartridge problem," or errors stating, "one or more cartridges are missing or damaged," or that the user was using an "older generation cartridge." The EFF was quick to lambast the practice in a letter to HP, noting that HP abused its security update mechanism to trick its customers and actively erode product functionality.
HP only made matters worse for itself by claiming at the time that it was only looking out for the safety and security of its customers, while patting itself on the back for being pro-active about addressing a problem it caused -- only after a massive consumer backlash occurred.
Fast forward almost exactly one year, and it looks like HP hasn't learned much from the Keurig-esque experience. The company this week released a new software update for the company's OfficeJet 6800 series, OfficeJet Pro 6200 series, OfficeJet Pro X 450 series, and OfficeJet Pro 8600 series printers. One of the major "benefits" of the update? Printer cartridges from competing manufacturers no longer work. Again:
According to ghacks.net, a new firmware update for HP Officejet printers released yesterday appears to be identical to the reviled DRM update released exactly one year ago. When you try to use third-party ink after installing the new/old firmware, you apparently run into an error that says “One or more cartridges appear to be damaged. Remove them and replace with new cartridges.” Depending on how many cartridges your specific printer uses, it may be possible to insert one or two without getting an error. But it seems when all of the ink cartridge slots are filled up, the warning message will be displayed again.
Just like a year ago, this restriction is being foisted upon consumers under the guise of a security update, powered by a service HP calls its "Dynamic Security" platform. Fortunately, consumers have several paths to avoid dealing with this nonsense. Customers can head to the HP support website and download an alternate firmware without the Dynamic Security platform embedded (something that HP knows most users won't do, and which places the onus for remedying HP's bad behavior on the end user). Users then have to block HP's automatic update functionality to prevent this firmware from being installed automatically (at the cost of useful updates).
There's probably an easier, more elegant solution: stop buying HP printers until the company realizes that eliminating device functionality under the pretense of security is obnoxious bullshit.
Thank you for reading this Techdirt post. With so many things competing for everyone’s attention these days, we really appreciate you giving us your time. We work hard every day to put quality content out there for our community.
Techdirt is one of the few remaining truly independent media outlets. We do not have a giant corporation behind us, and we rely heavily on our community to support us, in an age when advertisers are increasingly uninterested in sponsoring small, independent sites — especially a site like ours that is unwilling to pull punches in its reporting and analysis.
While other websites have resorted to paywalls, registration requirements, and increasingly annoying/intrusive advertising, we have always kept Techdirt open and available to anyone. But in order to continue doing so, we need your support. We offer a variety of ways for our readers to support us, from direct donations to special subscriptions and cool merchandise — and every little bit helps. Thank you.
–The Techdirt Team
Filed Under: competition, drm, printers
Companies: hp
Reader Comments
Subscribe: RSS
View by: Time | Thread
Funny
So my multi-function printer is bricked (so to speak) because brand new (to me) cartridges are out of date when installed.
Just how does ink spoil when wrapped in air tight foil packing?
[ link to this | view in chronology ]
Re: Funny
They set a date limit so that third-parties (or end-users) can't just refill genuine cartridges indefinitely. The problem becomes what to do with backlogged ink inventory. I guess HP just decided to sell it anyway and hope that their customers just bought more instead of trying to get a replacement or refund.
[ link to this | view in chronology ]
Re: Re: Funny
I wonder if anyone there will notice this aspect of DRM this time, or if they'll continue to pretend it's some kind of benefit.
[ link to this | view in chronology ]
Re: Re: Re: Funny
[ link to this | view in chronology ]
Re: Funny
Granted, anyone who outright bought a HP printer doesn't have a contract, but those who lease one do. And given the existence of EULAs and such, even those who bought their printer might technically have a contract!
[ link to this | view in chronology ]
Re: Re: Funny
EULAs seem to be more of a corporate wish list rather than laws written in stone ... and afaik EULAs have not been tested in court.
[ link to this | view in chronology ]
Re: Re: Re: Funny
Having no contract would mean that if the firmware updates are enabled by default and customers are not informed of that fact, pushing such an update would violate the Computer Fraud & Abuse act - which is one count of a federal felony for each device affected.
Without a contract or some other form of consent to HP, it would be legally no different from hacking random people’s computers and installing malware.
[ link to this | view in chronology ]
Re: Re: Re: Re: Funny
All very nice, but a meaningless assumption unless it's tested in court - and most people aren't going to fight a court case over an $80 printer. Which is why they get away with this stuff for so long.
[ link to this | view in chronology ]
Stop selling the printers at a loss that you expect to make up on overpriced ink.
Follow my previous idea, build a universal ink platform & work on making the printer the important thing.
[ link to this | view in chronology ]
HP Multifunction
[ link to this | view in chronology ]
[ link to this | view in chronology ]
Re:
[ link to this | view in chronology ]
[ link to this | view in chronology ]
Re:
I'd say that's the solution you found, not the fact that you bought a laser. That doesn't protect you from manufacturer shenanigans, of course, it just means that you won't face unexpected changes from the state at purchase.
[ link to this | view in chronology ]
Re: Re:
Ink-devouring machines have all sorts of other weird behavior, such as claiming the ink is empty when it isn't, refusing to print when one cartridge is out, refusing to scan with no ink, milking prodigious quantities of ink via "cleaning", sometimes repeatedly between continuous print jobs (which also ends up leaving ink smeared all over the head and page due to the gallons of wet ink on the pads and wipers).
Maybe i am truly a nexus of entropy, and i just happen to see the worst behavior possible all the time. I have to imagine, though, that i am not so terribly unique.
[ link to this | view in chronology ]
Re: Re:
[ link to this | view in chronology ]
Re:
In my case, I went with a Brother printer. Cheap, works perfectly, and the cartridges are refillable.
[ link to this | view in chronology ]
Eco Tank
I bought the Epson Eco Tank. They sell you bottles of ink instead of cartridges and you can even throw in cheap no name ink if you want.
Like supporting an artist you like, buying this printer and the ink from them sends a message that I'll support this business model.
We have been thrilled with the way it works. Sometimes need to run a clean when it sits for a couple months but when that isn't wiping out a $35 cartridge it becomes a trivial mater.
[ link to this | view in chronology ]
Re: Eco Tank
My wife needed a new all-in-one and we went with Brother this time, because I'd seen some positive comments on them here. So far it's worked well, and cheap generic ink is available. It isn't perfect (I read reviews saying that the scanner won't work when it has an empty ink cartridge, which is ludicrous, and that its cleaning process runs automatically and wastes a lot of ink), but it's a lot better than the ripoff game that HP and Lexmark have gotten into.
[ link to this | view in chronology ]
Re: Eco Tank
Other manufacturers are jumping the ink tank bandwagon already (I've seen one from HP that I will never buy anyway because they made it to my no-buy list) so ink is gonna get cheaper for sure.
[ link to this | view in chronology ]
look...
You need to respect your printer and learn to live in fear of it! There is no telling how many people have been mentally and emotionally distressed by printers... Remember office space? These guys had it in for that printer and no one should ever have to experience that travesty ever again!
[ link to this | view in chronology ]
Re: look...
[ link to this | view in chronology ]
"one or more cartridges are missing or damaged" is a blatantly false statement.
Isn't intentionally making false statements to someone in order to dupe them into decisions that enrich you also known as fraud?
[ link to this | view in chronology ]
[ link to this | view in chronology ]
Bait and switch?
[ link to this | view in chronology ]
[ link to this | view in chronology ]
That. I ditched HP a while back and I'm still wondering why it took me so long.
[ link to this | view in chronology ]
I TOLD you so...
Anybody buying an HP printer at this point is a sucker, a fool, and a moron. They DESERVE to be scammed and ripped off because HP has told them -- shouting from the rooftops -- that these are their intentions.
Nothing will happen to HP of course. Idiots will still buy their printers. Regulatory agencies will take no action. The BoD will respond by giving executives bonuses on top of their already-obscene salaries. "It's just good business."
[ link to this | view in chronology ]
Funny enough
[ link to this | view in chronology ]
Re: Funny enough
Not only that, but our Brother printer works quite well with various cloud printing services, which has proven amazingly handy and "secure enough" if you know what you're doing and consider what you're printing. Bottom line is that it just works and no shenanigans.
While I love color, I've also found it to be expensive and twitchy to do right. We utilize a local service for the few times that color is most appropriate, and we still save a bundle.
[ link to this | view in chronology ]
[ link to this | view in chronology ]
Re:
They sold that division in 1999 and called it Agilent (which still exists and is, last I heard, still good). Then in 2015 HP spun off "Hewlett Packard Enterprises". Which leaves "HP Inc." with probably nothing we want to buy--just printers and desktop/laptop computers.
[ link to this | view in chronology ]
Re: Re:
[ link to this | view in chronology ]
2000 page 12a toner spec... Get an older printer that uses them
[ link to this | view in chronology ]
A friend of mine does this ...
Then, he donates the printer to the local thrift store, getting a tax donation for the printer.
[ link to this | view in chronology ]
Newer is not always better
[ link to this | view in chronology ]
[ link to this | view in chronology ]
[ link to this | view in chronology ]
Re:
All printers used by microcomputers have always had a processor in them. With the addition of features like Ethernet connectivity, and the printer having a local disk to allow it to act as the print spooler, it has become easier to use a proper OS, like Linux or BSD to provide those features.
[ link to this | view in chronology ]
Re:
Many can print PostScript documents, and PS is a full programming language designed for printers (in the 80s). It's standard, which means users don't have to install (potentially hostile) printer drivers--but the printer has to "run" the document. PDF was initially a version of PS with Turing-completeness removed... until Adobe added Javascript to it. I don't know whether printers run that; but PS and PDF are way too complicated to render in hardware, so printers need code to handle them, and that code can contain security bugs. Ideally there would be no writable filesystem, and they'd reset the CPU between jobs (or run a VM) to make these bugs harmless, but what are the chances they actually did it that way?
Then there are things like USB-stick-printing (needs a FAT filesystem parser and USB stack), Wifi printing, Cloud printing. All too complicated for hardware, and we didn't even get to the antifeatures yet. Also too complicated to get right (no security bugs) on the first try unless you're willing to pay double the cost of other printers.
[ link to this | view in chronology ]
Re:
They wouldn't need security updates if they didn't do stupid shit in the first place, no. But they were at the vanguard of the tire fire now known as the IoT.
[ link to this | view in chronology ]
Any ink has to be better then HP's...
Watery food coloring or hamster diarrhea is a step up.
HP has some of the flimsiest printers, worst inks and crummiest papers available to mankind, so it's no wonder they don't want anyone using cheaper, better ink in their printers.
[ link to this | view in chronology ]
Understandable short term business strategy
[ link to this | view in chronology ]
[ link to this | view in chronology ]
Re:
This is why we need regulations — to put an end to anti-competitive crap like this!
[ link to this | view in chronology ]
Re: Re:
[ link to this | view in chronology ]
[ link to this | view in chronology ]
Re:
[ link to this | view in chronology ]
HP DRM free bypass
My refilled cartridge was working until on April 2, 2018 it started to show cartridge failed and was refusing to work.
Under EU law blocking the work of 3rd party cartridges and making cartridges inoperable is illegal.
I also fully documented the way on how to bypass easily HP DRM timebomb.
1) Make sure printer is restricted from using internet and WiFi. You can disable printer internet connection before and set up blocking future firmware updates.
2) power off the printer
3) set time on computer connected to the printer as Jan 1, 2018 or the date before your present firmware was relised.
4) Power on the printer.
5) Old cartridge will work as a charm.
6) The fact that simply changing the time makes "Failed" cartridge to work shows that HP using illegal DRM practice which violates EU law.
Lets start petition or legal claim.
[ link to this | view in chronology ]
Re: HP DRM free bypass
[ link to this | view in chronology ]
Solve Hp device Related Problems
[ link to this | view in chronology ]
HP Printer Support
If you are getting cartridge issues with HP printer then i will suggest you to dial toll free HP printer support number +1-800-379-6509. This is the right place to fix all types of HP printer errors.
[ link to this | view in chronology ]
We have read your blog. It was really informative and we have gathered much knowledge that has helped me a lot. People can also visit our website ..... which also having a vast inherent knowledge of the printer support solutions and much more that will definitely help you.
[ link to this | view in chronology ]
HP Support Number
[ link to this | view in chronology ]
AT&T Support Number
Nice Post!! I really appreciated with you, Thank you for sharing your views with us. If you are facing issues regarding AT&T Email Errors
[ link to this | view in chronology ]
Trend Micro Customer Care Number
[ link to this | view in chronology ]
Urgent visa to India
[ link to this | view in chronology ]
Download AOL Mobile App
download aol app
install aol app
how to install aol app
Visit here:
https://www.customersuportservice.com/download-aol-mobile-app/
[ link to this | view in chronology ]
Brother printer Support Number
[ link to this | view in chronology ]
Download AOL dekstop gold
how to install aol gold desktop
aol gold program download
reinstall AOL desktop gold windows 10
Visit here:
https://aol-desktop-gold.email-support-tollfree.com/
[ link to this | view in chronology ]
Printer Cartridges
[ link to this | view in chronology ]
Solve Facebook Problems
For more help visit here:- https://www.customer-service-numbers.com/facebook-customer-service-number/
[ link to this | view in chronology ]
AOL Technical Support
Visit here for more information: https://emailcustomer-services.com/contact-aol-support-number.html
[ link to this | view in chronology ]
HP Printer Customer Support
As we all know that Hp printer is the biggest name in the market in the field of printers. But brands also technical Gilchrist glitch for those glitches hp provide Hp printer customer support over the phone just dial the number +1(800) 684-5649 and tell them about your issues. You can visit here site too here : http://hprinterofficial.com/hp-printer-services/
[ link to this | view in chronology ]
AOL Customer Service Phone Number
AOL Customer Service Phone Number + 1-800-684-5649 is available 24*7 you can resolve the AOL Mail issues instantly while talking to our expert technical agent over the phone call. Contact AOL today now. https://aolnumbersupport.com/aol-contact-number/
[ link to this | view in chronology ]
AOL Helpline Number
AOL Helpline Number for users sometimes many users face technical problems while accessing to AOL Mail. We have a panel of technical experts who are capable to resolve your queries without any hassle over the phone call. Dial AOL Support Number and get answers of your query. http://www.fixemails.com/aol-technical-support-number/
[ link to this | view in chronology ]
AOL Customer Care Number
Our AOL customer care can resolve you're all AOL email related issues in just a few minutes and sometimes instantly as they our team have years of experience in handling AOL mail problems.
More help - https://www.customersupport-numbers.com/aol-customer-support-number/
https://www.customersupport-num bers.com/aol-desktop-gold-support-number/
[ link to this | view in chronology ]
nice post
https://www.epsonprintersupport247.com/fix-epson-printer-offline/
[ link to this | view in chronology ]
Garmin Updates
We Fix All maps device issues, Magellan GPS update, Garmin map update, Tomtom map update or any other maps device.
https://www.maps-updates.com/garmin-map-update.php
[ link to this | view in chronology ]
technology
blog is very nice thanks for sharing
website: https://www.techtrainersonline.com/courses/selenium/
[ link to this | view in chronology ]
techtraining
blog is very nice thanks for sharing its very help ful data
website: https://blog.whitehatjr.com/coding-for-kids/advantages-of-coding-at-a-small-age/
[ link to this | view in chronology ]
Electronic Visa India
Thanks for sharing such a nice article. I really appreciate that please keep on posting more articles like this. Thank you!
https://indiaeta.com
[ link to this | view in chronology ]
Hp Printer Error 0x61011bed
Howdy, that is striking material. I genuinely like the subject. Would you have the decision to uncover to me something about it ... I'd love to learn. The user is 24 * 7 available on affected devices. Check the simple solution if there is Hp Printer Error 0x61011bed. Website: http://www.hptechnicalsupportphonenumber.com/blog/fix-hp-printer-error-0x61011bed/
[ link to this | view in chronology ]
Re: how to contact yahoo support
Most of the Yahoo users faces some difficulties in accessing their account due to some errors or bugs that suddenly appears while the user is using their email account. So to remove these obstacles you must need to contact Yahoo technical support for assistance and they will get you out of such issue
https://yahoocustomersupport247.com/
[ link to this | view in chronology ]