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HP apologizes for firmware update that blocks third-party inks

By Ng Chong Seng - on 3 Oct 2016, 10:35am

HP apologizes for firmware update that blocks third-party inks

Affected printer series include those using the HP 934/935, 950/951, and 970/971 cartridges.

HP has apologized for its handling of a recent printer firmware update that has rendered many customers’ OfficeJet inkjet printers inoperable if they were using third-party ink cartridges, even if these cartridges had previously functioned.

In a post on its website, chief operating officer Jon Flaxman admitted that the printer and laptop maker should have communicated the new authentication procedure better, but stressed that it’s important to limit the use of unauthorized cartridges as they infringe on HP’s IP, and may affect print quality and even pose security risks to users.

To correct the issue, HP says it will issue an optional firmware update to remove this "dynamic security feature". That said, it’s important to know that HP doesn’t want to block all third-party inks, just those that don’t have original HP security chips. As such, it’s unclear if the upcoming update will unblock all third-party ink cartridges or those that have since passed HP’s testing. The update is slated to be ready in mid-October, with more infomation to be posted here once ready.

HP’s chief operating officer Jon Flaxman:

However, we commit to improving our communication so that customers understand our concerns about cloned and counterfeit supplies. Again, to our loyal customers who were affected, we apologize.

Last week, the Electronic Frontier Foundation (EFF) wrote a letter to HP’s president and CEO, asking the company to “make amends for its self-destructing printers.” The San Francisco-based group also started an online petition, which had since garnered over 10,000 signatures.

In another HP printer-related news, HP has last month announced that it has reached an agreement with Samsung to acquire the latter’s printer business for US$1.05 billion.

Source: HP.

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