Brother Industries Ltd.: Difference between revisions
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Brother has faced consumer criticism and regulatory action, having been criticized for practices that allegedly reduce choice, obfuscate information and accelerate product obsolescence. | Brother has faced consumer criticism and regulatory action, having been criticized for practices that allegedly reduce choice, obfuscate information and accelerate product obsolescence. | ||
== | ==Consumer impact summary== | ||
===DSF & DRM: a misuse of market power=== | |||
Brother non-industrial printers & copiers hold the [https://www.statista.com/outlook/cmo/consumer-electronics/computing/printers-copiers/australia third largest market share] in the Asia Pacific region 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. [[File:Brother 01 banner.png|right|frameless|600x600px]]Within the printer category at the largest office and stationery retailer in Australia: [https://www.wesfarmers.com.au/our-businesses/officeworks Officeworks], Brother is the [https://www.officeworks.com.au/shop/officeworks/c/technology/printers most represented brand]. Officeworks has 170 locations and largely dominates the market. This gives Brother a significant presence within the retail and on-line buying space and adds to the demand for servicing, repair and ink & toner replacements for their machines. | Brother non-industrial printers & copiers hold the [https://www.statista.com/outlook/cmo/consumer-electronics/computing/printers-copiers/australia third largest market share] in the Asia Pacific region 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. [[File:Brother 01 banner.png|right|frameless|600x600px]]Within the printer category at the largest office and stationery retailer in Australia: [https://www.wesfarmers.com.au/our-businesses/officeworks Officeworks], Brother is the [https://www.officeworks.com.au/shop/officeworks/c/technology/printers most represented brand]. Officeworks has 170 locations and largely dominates the market. This gives Brother a significant presence within the retail and on-line buying space and adds to the demand for servicing, repair and ink & toner replacements for their machines. | ||
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This follows similar practices from manufacturers like '''HP''' forcing a "[https://www.pcworld.com/article/1656073/these-hp-printers-can-be-upgraded-to-allow-third-party-printer-ink.html Dynamic Security Feature]" (DSF) and '''Dymo''' implementing "[https://www.onlinelabels.com/articles/alternative-label-printers-to-dymo Digital Rights Management]" (DRM) via firmware updates thus limiting the end user to officially sanctioned replacement parts only. | This follows similar practices from manufacturers like '''HP''' forcing a "[https://www.pcworld.com/article/1656073/these-hp-printers-can-be-upgraded-to-allow-third-party-printer-ink.html Dynamic Security Feature]" (DSF) and '''Dymo''' implementing "[https://www.onlinelabels.com/articles/alternative-label-printers-to-dymo Digital Rights Management]" (DRM) via firmware updates thus limiting the end user to officially sanctioned replacement parts only. | ||
== | ==Incidents== | ||
Listed models, links and issue cases from users experiencing restrictive implementation: | Listed models, links and issue cases from users experiencing restrictive implementation: | ||
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*'''[https://www.brother-usa.com/products/mfcl3750cdw MFC-3750CDW]''' All-in-One Printer: [https://forums.whirlpool.net.au/archive/35qvkyx3 3rd party cartridge rejection] | *'''[https://www.brother-usa.com/products/mfcl3750cdw MFC-3750CDW]''' All-in-One Printer: [https://forums.whirlpool.net.au/archive/35qvkyx3 3rd party cartridge rejection] | ||
===Case Study: HL-L2395DW=== | |||
We present here the following email transcript to clarify whether Brother acknowledges functionality alteration via firmware updates. | |||
====Start Transcript==== | |||
_____________________ | _____________________ | ||
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_________________ | _________________ | ||
====End Transcript==== | |||
As clarified above, there is no detail customer support can add as to what additional functionality (if any) is implemented in these firmware updates - there is currently no way to roll back an update should something change or not work. | |||
== | ===Solution: AIR=== | ||
Currently the most practical way to halt this type of deceptive manufacturer behaviour is to: | Currently the most practical way to halt this type of deceptive manufacturer behaviour is to: | ||
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#'''Research''' BEFORE you buy, use or update your product. | #'''Research''' BEFORE you buy, use or update your product. | ||
== | ==References== | ||
#Australian Consumer Law: [https://www.australiancontractlaw.info/legislation/acl/s18 S18] [https://www.australiancontractlaw.info/legislation/acl/s29 S29] [https://search.brave.com/search?q=Section+33+ACL&summary=1&conversation=56f05611ce985b6dcfa673 S33] | #Australian Consumer Law: [https://www.australiancontractlaw.info/legislation/acl/s18 S18] [https://www.australiancontractlaw.info/legislation/acl/s29 S29] [https://search.brave.com/search?q=Section+33+ACL&summary=1&conversation=56f05611ce985b6dcfa673 S33] | ||