HP settles lawsuit over ink-blocking printer update, with no payout or admission of wrongdoing

What just happened? A lawsuit against HP over a firmware update that prevented its printers from being compatible with non-HP ink and toner has had its settlement approved by a judge. However, HP doesn't have to admit to any wrongdoing or pay any customers affected by the 2020 update. HP's November 2020 firmware update enabled, or re-enabled, the company's Dynamic Security system in some printer models. This detects non-HP ink or toner cartridges, even those that are fully functional and previously worked, blocking any that aren't using HP's security chip or circuitry. HP claims Dynamic Security protects the printing experience, reduces counterfeit cartridges, and improves security. Everyone else says it's about making more money since HP sells printers at low margins while ink cartridges make up a lot of revenue for the firm. HP pretty much admitted this in 2023 when an executive boasted about how its ink subscription service was "locking" people in. In December 2020, two companies ... Read full article.