HP has agreed to settle a class-action lawsuit accusing the company of disabling printers that used third-party ink cartridges. The lawsuit focused on HP’s “Dynamic Security” firmware, which blocked cartridges that lacked HP’s proprietary chips—effectively forcing users to buy more expensive HP-branded ink.
As part of the settlement, HP will pay about $720,000 in legal costs and roughly $5,000 to the lead plaintiff. HP did not admit wrongdoing and is not providing financial compensation to customers affected by the cartridge blocks.
The company said the firmware was intended to protect customers from counterfeit products and ensure print quality. However, under the terms of the settlement, HP has agreed to let users opt out of the Dynamic Security updates going forward. That means customers will be allowed to use compatible third-party cartridges without interference—if they choose to decline future firmware updates.
The case highlights a long-running dispute in the printer industry over the right to use non-OEM (original equipment manufacturer) supplies. Critics say updates like HP’s reduce consumer choice and drive up the cost of printer ownership.
