Brother Industries Ltd.: Difference between revisions

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{{~~InfoboxCompany~~

{{CompanyCargo

| ~~Name~~ = ~~Brother Industries Ltd~~.

|Description=Japanese manufacturer known for sewing machines, printers, and other home and office equipment.

~~| Type = Public~~

|Founded=1908

| Founded = 1908

|Industry=Electronics, Machinery, Printing

| Industry = ~~Printers~~, Machinery

|Logo=Brother logo.svg

| ~~Official~~ Website = https://global.brother/

|ParentCompany=

~~| Logo = Brother logo.svg~~

|Type=Public

|Website=https://global.brother/

}}

'''Brother Industries Ltd.''' manufactures and sells communications and printing equipment in Japan, the Americas, Europe, Asia, Oceania, the Middle East, Africa, and internationally. It operates through Printing & Solutions, Machinery, Domino, Nissei, Personal & Home, and Network & Contents segments.

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==Consumer impact summary==

[[File:Brother Refresh.png|thumb|247x247px]]

Brother non-industrial printers & copiers hold the third largest market share in the Asia Pacific region<ref>{{Cite web |title=Printers & Copiers - Australia |url=https://www.statista.com/outlook/cmo/consumer-electronics/computing/printers-copiers/australia |url-status=live |access-date=29 Aug 2025 |website=Statista Market Forecast}}</ref> and are a popular choice for home and small business users. Brother's monochromatic, colour, multi-function, laser, and inkjet printers offer a low-price entry and are sold at most large box retailers, where consumables such as toners and cartridges are also readily available. Within the printer category at the largest office and stationery retailer in Australia, Officeworks, Brother is the most represented brand.<ref>{{Cite web |title=Printers |url=https://www.officeworks.com.au/shop/officeworks/c/technology/printers |url-status=live |access-date=29 Aug 2025 |website=Officeworks}}</ref>

Brother non-industrial printers & copiers hold the third largest market share in the Asia Pacific region<ref>{{Cite web |title=Printers & Copiers - Australia |url=https://www.statista.com/outlook/cmo/consumer-electronics/computing/printers-copiers/australia |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20250827185302/https://www.statista.com/outlook/cmo/consumer-electronics/computing/printers-copiers/australia |archive-date=27 Aug 2025 |access-date=29 Aug 2025 |website=Statista Market Forecast}}</ref> and are a popular choice for home and small business users. Brother's monochromatic, colour, multi-function, laser, and inkjet printers offer a low-price entry and are sold at most large box retailers, where consumables such as toners and cartridges are also readily available. Within the printer category at the largest office and stationery retailer in Australia, Officeworks, Brother is the most represented brand.<ref>{{Cite web |title=Printers |url=https://www.officeworks.com.au/shop/officeworks/c/technology/printers |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20250906162622/https://www.officeworks.com.au/shop/officeworks/c/technology/printers |archive-date=6 Sep 2025 |access-date=29 Aug 2025 |website=Officeworks}}</ref>

Users have reported that Brother has initiated various methods to limit or reduce functionality on many printers prior and during usage. This includes:

*'''3rd party consumable lockout''' on various printer models<ref>{{Cite web |date=11 Jul 2023 |title=Brother started locking out third party cartridges by firmware updates apparently |url=https://news.ycombinator.com/item?id=36679980 |url-status=live |access-date=29 Aug 2025 |website=Hacker News}}</ref>{{More citations needed}}

*'''3rd party consumable lockout''' on various printer models<ref>{{Cite web |date=11 Jul 2023 |title=Brother started locking out third party cartridges by firmware updates apparently |url=https://news.ycombinator.com/item?id=36679980 |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20250708193250/https://news.ycombinator.com/item?id=36679980 |archive-date=8 Jul 2025 |access-date=29 Aug 2025 |website=Hacker News}}</ref>{{More citations needed}}

*'''Reduction in print capacity''' via software, firmware and hardware<ref name=":0">{{Cite web |last=Shaak |first=Erin |date=16 Oct 2018 |title=Class Action Claims Brother International Designed Laser Printers to Require Premature Toner Replacement |url=https://www.classaction.org/news/class-action-claims-brother-international-designed-laser-printers-to-require-premature-toner-replacement |url-status=live |access-date=29 Aug 2025 |website=ClassAction.org}}</ref>

*'''Reduction in print capacity''' via software, firmware and hardware<ref name=":0">{{Cite web |last=Shaak |first=Erin |date=16 Oct 2018 |title=Class Action Claims Brother International Designed Laser Printers to Require Premature Toner Replacement |url=https://www.classaction.org/news/class-action-claims-brother-international-designed-laser-printers-to-require-premature-toner-replacement |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20250816145420/https://www.classaction.org/news/class-action-claims-brother-international-designed-laser-printers-to-require-premature-toner-replacement |archive-date=16 Aug 2025 |access-date=29 Aug 2025 |website=ClassAction.org}}</ref>

*'''Disabling of functionality''' via print counters, software and firmware<ref>{{Cite web |title=MFC-L3750CDW/MFC-L3760CDW vs MF655Cdw |url=https://www.reddit.com/r/printers/comments/18c1hmm/comment/lq8x81g/ |url-status=live |access-date=29 Aug 2025 |website=~~r/printers~~}}</ref>{{More citations needed}}

*'''Disabling of functionality''' via print counters, software and firmware<ref>{{Cite web |date=4 Oct 2024 |title=MFC-L3750CDW/MFC-L3760CDW vs MF655Cdw |url=https://www.reddit.com/r/printers/comments/18c1hmm/comment/lq8x81g/ |url-status=live |access-date=29 Aug 2025 |website=[[Reddit]]}}</ref>{{More citations needed}}

*'''Nagware''' screens or pop-ups indicating firmware or software should be updated

*'''Limited or obfuscated information''' regarding effects of software or firmware update implementation<ref name=":1">{{Cite web |date=22 Mar 2025 |title=Brother MFC-3750CDW won't accept non-genuine ink? |url=https://forums.whirlpool.net.au/archive/35qvkyx3 |url-status=live |access-date=29 Aug 2025 |website=Whirlpool}}</ref>{{More citations needed}}

*'''Limited or obfuscated information''' regarding effects of software or firmware update implementation<ref name=":1">{{Cite web |date=22 Mar 2025 |title=Brother MFC-3750CDW won't accept non-genuine ink? |url=https://forums.whirlpool.net.au/archive/35qvkyx3 |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20250814080027/https://forums.whirlpool.net.au/archive/35qvkyx3 |archive-date=14 Aug 2025 |access-date=29 Aug 2025 |website=Whirlpool}}</ref>{{More citations needed}}

==Incidents==

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*Cartridge Battery Prevents Ink Usage: '''[[DCP 3550 CDW Cartridge Failure|DCP 3550 CDW Cartridge Failure]]'''

*MFC-L2750DW All-in-One Printer: 3rd party cartridge rejection

*Removal of all older OS updates out of nowhere starting 2025<ref>{{Cite web |date=13 Nov 2025 |title=Something happened on the Brother's site and now I can't download the driver anymore. |url=https://old.reddit.com/r/printers/comments/1ow3p2m/something_happened_on_the_brothers_site_and_now_i/ |website=Reddit}}</ref> making any non current operating system impossible to get working drivers for their printers even thought the OS is still used in production in certain environments. (Operating systems like macOS Monterey)

*Removal of cloud features (Scan-to and Print-from Dropbox, Box, OneDrive and Google Drive) on devices with firmware that doesn't support TLS1.2, removing features still advertised on their website.

==References==

[[Category:Brother]]

@@ Line 1: / Line 1: @@
-{{InfoboxCompany
+{{CompanyCargo
-| Name = Brother Industries Ltd.
+|Description=Japanese manufacturer known for sewing machines, printers, and other home and office equipment.
-| Type = Public
+|Founded=1908
-| Founded = 1908
+|Industry=Electronics, Machinery, Printing
-| Industry = Printers, Machinery
+|Logo=Brother logo.svg
-| Official Website = https://global.brother/
+|ParentCompany=
-| Logo = Brother logo.svg
+|Type=Public
+|Website=https://global.brother/
 }}
 '''Brother Industries Ltd.''' manufactures and sells communications and printing equipment in Japan, the Americas, Europe, Asia, Oceania, the Middle East, Africa, and internationally. It operates through Printing & Solutions, Machinery, Domino, Nissei, Personal & Home, and Network & Contents segments.
@@ Line 13: / Line 14: @@
 ==Consumer impact summary==
 [[File:Brother Refresh.png|thumb|247x247px]]
-Brother non-industrial printers & copiers hold the third largest market share in the Asia Pacific region<ref>{{Cite web |title=Printers & Copiers - Australia |url=https://www.statista.com/outlook/cmo/consumer-electronics/computing/printers-copiers/australia |url-status=live |access-date=29 Aug 2025 |website=Statista Market Forecast}}</ref> and are a popular choice for home and small business users. Brother's monochromatic, colour, multi-function, laser, and inkjet printers offer a low-price entry and are sold at most large box retailers, where consumables such as toners and cartridges are also readily available. Within the printer category at the largest office and stationery retailer in Australia, Officeworks, Brother is the most represented brand.<ref>{{Cite web |title=Printers |url=https://www.officeworks.com.au/shop/officeworks/c/technology/printers |url-status=live |access-date=29 Aug 2025 |website=Officeworks}}</ref>
+Brother non-industrial printers & copiers hold the third largest market share in the Asia Pacific region<ref>{{Cite web |title=Printers & Copiers - Australia |url=https://www.statista.com/outlook/cmo/consumer-electronics/computing/printers-copiers/australia |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20250827185302/https://www.statista.com/outlook/cmo/consumer-electronics/computing/printers-copiers/australia |archive-date=27 Aug 2025 |access-date=29 Aug 2025 |website=Statista Market Forecast}}</ref> and are a popular choice for home and small business users. Brother's monochromatic, colour, multi-function, laser, and inkjet printers offer a low-price entry and are sold at most large box retailers, where consumables such as toners and cartridges are also readily available. Within the printer category at the largest office and stationery retailer in Australia, Officeworks, Brother is the most represented brand.<ref>{{Cite web |title=Printers |url=https://www.officeworks.com.au/shop/officeworks/c/technology/printers |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20250906162622/https://www.officeworks.com.au/shop/officeworks/c/technology/printers |archive-date=6 Sep 2025 |access-date=29 Aug 2025 |website=Officeworks}}</ref>
 Users have reported that Brother has initiated various methods to limit or reduce functionality on many printers prior and during usage. This includes:
-*'''3rd party consumable lockout''' on various printer models<ref>{{Cite web |date=11 Jul 2023 |title=Brother started locking out third party cartridges by firmware updates apparently |url=https://news.ycombinator.com/item?id=36679980 |url-status=live |access-date=29 Aug 2025 |website=Hacker News}}</ref>{{More citations needed}}
+*'''3rd party consumable lockout''' on various printer models<ref>{{Cite web |date=11 Jul 2023 |title=Brother started locking out third party cartridges by firmware updates apparently |url=https://news.ycombinator.com/item?id=36679980 |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20250708193250/https://news.ycombinator.com/item?id=36679980 |archive-date=8 Jul 2025 |access-date=29 Aug 2025 |website=Hacker News}}</ref>{{More citations needed}}
-*'''Reduction in print capacity''' via software, firmware and hardware<ref name=":0">{{Cite web |last=Shaak |first=Erin |date=16 Oct 2018 |title=Class Action Claims Brother International Designed Laser Printers to Require Premature Toner Replacement |url=https://www.classaction.org/news/class-action-claims-brother-international-designed-laser-printers-to-require-premature-toner-replacement |url-status=live |access-date=29 Aug 2025 |website=ClassAction.org}}</ref>
+*'''Reduction in print capacity''' via software, firmware and hardware<ref name=":0">{{Cite web |last=Shaak |first=Erin |date=16 Oct 2018 |title=Class Action Claims Brother International Designed Laser Printers to Require Premature Toner Replacement |url=https://www.classaction.org/news/class-action-claims-brother-international-designed-laser-printers-to-require-premature-toner-replacement |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20250816145420/https://www.classaction.org/news/class-action-claims-brother-international-designed-laser-printers-to-require-premature-toner-replacement |archive-date=16 Aug 2025 |access-date=29 Aug 2025 |website=ClassAction.org}}</ref>
-*'''Disabling of functionality''' via print counters, software and firmware<ref>{{Cite web |title=MFC-L3750CDW/MFC-L3760CDW vs MF655Cdw |url=https://www.reddit.com/r/printers/comments/18c1hmm/comment/lq8x81g/ |url-status=live |access-date=29 Aug 2025 |website=r/printers}}</ref>{{More citations needed}}
+*'''Disabling of functionality''' via print counters, software and firmware<ref>{{Cite web |date=4 Oct 2024 |title=MFC-L3750CDW/MFC-L3760CDW vs MF655Cdw |url=https://www.reddit.com/r/printers/comments/18c1hmm/comment/lq8x81g/ |url-status=live |access-date=29 Aug 2025 |website=[[Reddit]]}}</ref>{{More citations needed}}
 *'''Nagware''' screens or pop-ups indicating firmware or software should be updated
-*'''Limited or obfuscated information''' regarding effects of software or firmware update implementation<ref name=":1">{{Cite web |date=22 Mar 2025 |title=Brother MFC-3750CDW won't accept non-genuine ink? |url=https://forums.whirlpool.net.au/archive/35qvkyx3 |url-status=live |access-date=29 Aug 2025 |website=Whirlpool}}</ref>{{More citations needed}}
+*'''Limited or obfuscated information''' regarding effects of software or firmware update implementation<ref name=":1">{{Cite web |date=22 Mar 2025 |title=Brother MFC-3750CDW won't accept non-genuine ink? |url=https://forums.whirlpool.net.au/archive/35qvkyx3 |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20250814080027/https://forums.whirlpool.net.au/archive/35qvkyx3 |archive-date=14 Aug 2025 |access-date=29 Aug 2025 |website=Whirlpool}}</ref>{{More citations needed}}
 ==Incidents==
@@ Line 30: / Line 31: @@
 *Cartridge Battery Prevents Ink Usage: '''[[DCP 3550 CDW Cartridge Failure|DCP 3550 CDW Cartridge Failure]]'''
 *MFC-L2750DW All-in-One Printer: 3rd party cartridge rejection
+*Removal of all older OS updates out of nowhere starting 2025<ref>{{Cite web |date=13 Nov 2025 |title=Something happened on the Brother's site and now I can't download the driver anymore. |url=https://old.reddit.com/r/printers/comments/1ow3p2m/something_happened_on_the_brothers_site_and_now_i/ |website=Reddit}}</ref> making any non current operating system impossible to get working drivers for their printers even thought the OS is still used in production in certain environments. (Operating systems like macOS Monterey)
+*Removal of cloud features (Scan-to and Print-from Dropbox, Box, OneDrive and Google Drive) on devices with firmware that doesn't support TLS1.2, removing features still advertised on their website.
 ==References==
 {{reflist}}
 [[Category:Brother]]