Print-Rite is one of the latest companies to speak out and warn of firmware updates and its uses.
In a statement issued on its website, Print-Rite wrote: “Print-Rite Europe would like to deliver an important message to all end-users of its compatible products – DO NOT UPGRADE YOUR PRINTER FIRMWARE.”
In recent months a number of OEMs have used unnecessary firmware updates to their printers as a way of locking out aftermarket compatible cartridges and therefore forcing users to purchase expensive original consumables, the company stated.
Print-Rite Europe’s General Manager – Sales & Marketing UK, Jason Doran said: “The concept behind firmware updates to electronic products, including printers, is to improve performance or overcome problems that have been discovered after launch. However, many printer OEMs are now clearly using firmware updates as a way of boosting sales of their over-priced products.
“Print-Rite cartridges always feature the various latest technology and upon release work with all known firmware. Therefore, provided the end-user does not get bullied into updating their printer’s firmware by the OEM, our cartridges will continue to work perfectly, and deliver the savings and performance our products are famous for.”
As recently reported by The Recycler, HP leads the OEMs issuing 371 updates, or just over 1 each and every day. When this happens the consumers (the person who bought the printer) non-OEM consumables are often locked out and the printer owner is forced to buy OEM consumables.
During the upcoming Remanexpo show, as part of The Recycler Live programme, we are organising a Firmware Forum to bring together the widest cross-section of the industry and market to explore the best ways to protect the consumers right to choose the consumables they want.
To join the Firmware Forum please email Joe Reader on joe.reader@therecycler.com.
