What happened? A suit against HP on a firmware update that prevents his printer from being compatible with non-HP ink and toner, has approved his disposal by a judge. However, HP does not need to accept any customer affected by an update of 2020 or pay any customer.
HP’s November 2020 firmware updates enabled, or re -enabled, the company’s dynamic security system in some printer models. It detects non-H-HP ink or toner cartridges, even those who are perfectly functional and work first, block anyone who is not using HP’s safety chip or circuitry.
HP claims that dynamic security protects printing experience, reduces fake cartridges, and improves security. Everyone else says that it is about making more money because HP sells printers on low margin while ink makes too much revenue for cartridges firm. HP accepted it in 2023 when an executive claimed how it was in the ink membership service “locking”.
In December 2020, two companies filed a class-action suit against HP on firmware updates. The complaint stated that it essentially acts as malware – adding, removing or changing the code, reducing the capabilities of HP printer, and presenting the supply cartridges of inconsistent competitors with HP printers.
HP and Valley reached an agreement in August 2024. Under the conditions, HP agreed to pay $ 5,000 to two companies who filed complaints – Mobile Emergency Housing Corp and Performance Automotive and Tire Center. David Justin Lynch, who was added to the suit as a plaintiff, will also get $ 5,000. HP says that the payment is to compensate for them for services done by classes. ” HP will also pay $ 725,000 as part of the disposal in the fees and expenses of the lawyers, which was approved by Judge Susan Van Keylen last week.
However, HP does not need to accept that it has done anything wrong, and it will not hand over any money to customers who were affected by the 2020 firmware updates.
Settlement also means that some HP laserghet model’s user-see the complete list here-now there is an option to reject the firmware update that includes dynamic security, allowing them to continue using the third-party ink. People with printers in this list can remove dynamic security through firmware updates.
The restriction for most HP printers will remain in force and can still be applied to some older models made after 2016 which are not part of settlement.
This is one of the several cases, HP has faced dynamic security, including a single one in Italy where he was fined $ 12 million.
H/T: ARS Technica
