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HP systemic DRM and firmware lockouts: Difference between revisions

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HP is widely recognized for applying digital rights management (DRM) measures to its consumer inkjet and laser printers, systematically blocking the use of third-party cartridges via firmware “dynamic security” updates. These updates have repeatedly disabled printers for users attempting to use non-HP branded consumables, and in some cases, even affected official HP cartridges after updates. Numerous class-action lawsuits have been filed against HP in multiple countries, and firmware updates continue to prompt large-scale consumer complaints, with users reporting unexpected cartridge rejections and device lockouts.<ref>{{Cite web |title=HP Printers Are Doing the DRM Thing Again |url=https://gizmodo.com/hp-printers-drm-update-block-third-party-ink-1850211997 |website=Gizmodo |archive-url=http://web.archive.org/web/20250723172732/https://gizmodo.com/hp-printers-drm-update-block-third-party-ink-1850211997 |archive-date=23 Jul 2025}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web |title=Firmware update bricks hp printers |url=https://hardware.slashdot.org/story/25/03/10/1923229/firmware-update-bricks-hp-printers-makes-them-unable-to-use-hp-cartridges |website=Slashdot |archive-url=http://web.archive.org/web/20250905064638/https://hardware.slashdot.org/story/25/03/10/1923229/firmware-update-bricks-hp-printers-makes-them-unable-to-use-hp-cartridges |archive-date=5 Sep 2025}}</ref>
HP is widely recognized for applying digital rights management (DRM) measures to its consumer inkjet and laser printers, systematically blocking the use of third-party cartridges via firmware “dynamic security” updates. These updates have repeatedly disabled printers for users attempting to use non-HP branded consumables, and in some cases, even affected official HP cartridges after updates. Numerous class-action lawsuits have been filed against HP in multiple countries, and firmware updates continue to prompt large-scale consumer complaints, with users reporting unexpected cartridge rejections and device lockouts.<ref>{{Cite web |title=HP Printers Are Doing the DRM Thing Again |url=https://gizmodo.com/hp-printers-drm-update-block-third-party-ink-1850211997 |website=Gizmodo |archive-url=http://web.archive.org/web/20250723172732/https://gizmodo.com/hp-printers-drm-update-block-third-party-ink-1850211997 |archive-date=23 Jul 2025}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web |title=Firmware update bricks hp printers |url=https://hardware.slashdot.org/story/25/03/10/1923229/firmware-update-bricks-hp-printers-makes-them-unable-to-use-hp-cartridges |website=Slashdot |archive-url=http://web.archive.org/web/20250905064638/https://hardware.slashdot.org/story/25/03/10/1923229/firmware-update-bricks-hp-printers-makes-them-unable-to-use-hp-cartridges |archive-date=5 Sep 2025}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web |date=8 Mar 2024 |title=How to Bypass HP Printer Cartridge Error |url=https://cartridgeworldusa.com/blog/how-to-bypass-hp-printer-cartridge-error |url-status=live |website=CartridgeWorld}}</ref><blockquote>HP printers may block third-party cartridges via firmware “dynamic security,” causing systemic disruptions for consumers and prompting legal and media scrutiny. </blockquote>HP's implementation of DRM restricting third-party ink cartridge use started in 2016. In that year, HP pushed a controversial firmware update that introduced "dynamic security" measures designed to block non-HP cartridges, causing widespread printer lockouts and cartridge rejections.<ref name=":0">{{Cite web |date=2016-09-27 |title=The EFF calls on HP to remove DRM from its printers |url=https://techcrunch.com/2016/09/27/the-eff-calls-on-hp-to-remove-drm-from-its-printers/ |website=TechCrunch |archive-url=http://web.archive.org/web/20250906212015/https://techcrunch.com/2016/09/27/the-eff-calls-on-hp-to-remove-drm-from-its-printers/ |archive-date=6 Sep 2025}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web |title=HP’s DRM sabotages off-brant printer ink cartridges with self-destruct date |url=https://arstechnica.com/information-technology/2016/09/hps-drm-sabotages-off-brand-printer-ink-cartridges-with-self-destruct-date/ |website=Ars Technica |archive-url=http://web.archive.org/web/20260210212454/https://arstechnica.com/information-technology/2016/09/hps-drm-sabotages-off-brand-printer-ink-cartridges-with-self-destruct-date/ |archive-date=10 Feb 2026}}</ref> This update was initially rolled out quietly and activated later, sparking public outcry, campaigns by the Electronic Frontier Foundation (EFF), and media coverage describing it as a DRM "time bomb."<ref name=":0" /><ref>{{Cite web |last=Wyciślik-Wilson |first=Sofia Elizabella |date=28 Sep 2016 |title=EFF slams HP's printer DRM that forces the use of official ink cartridges |url=https://betanews.com/article/hp-printer-cartridge-drm/ |url-status=live |website=betanews}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web |last=Armasu |first=Lucian |date=3 Oct 2016 |title=Following Printer DRM Fiasco, HP Needs To Do More To Fix Reputation, Says EFF |url=https://www.tomshardware.com/news/hp-drm-fiasco-eff-requests,32796.html |url-status=live |website=Tom'sHardware}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web |last=Bode |first=Karl |date=20 Sep 2016 |title=HP Launched Delayed DRM Time Bomb To Disable Competing Printer Cartridges |url=https://www.techdirt.com/2016/09/20/hp-launched-delayed-drm-time-bomb-to-disable-competing-printer-cartridges/ |url-status=live |website=Techdirt}}</ref> HP responded with optional firmware to disable these restrictions but continued to use DRM measures going forward.<ref>{{Cite web |last=Barrett |first=Brian |date=23 Sep 2016 |title=HP Has Added DRM to Its Ink Cartridges. Not Even Kidding (Updated) |url=https://www.wired.com/2016/09/hp-printer-drm/ |url-status=live |website=Wired}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web |last=Bode |first=Karl |date=4 Oct 2016 |title=HP Issues Flimsy Mea Culpa For Recent Printer Cartridge DRM Idiocy, But It's Not Enough |url=https://www.techdirt.com/2016/10/04/hp-issues-flimsy-mea-culpa-recent-printer-cartridge-drm-idiocy-not-enough/ |url-status=live |website=TechDirt}}</ref>


> HP printers may block third-party cartridges via firmware “dynamic security,” causing systemic disruptions for consumers and prompting legal and media scrutiny.
In summary, HP began systematically locking printers to OEM cartridges with DRM firmware updates starting in 2016, a practice that continues to evolve but originated in that year.<ref>{{Cite web |last=Doctorow |first=Cory |date=15 Feb 2022 |title=The Worst Timeline: A Printer Company Is Putting DRM in Paper Now |url=https://www.eff.org/deeplinks/2022/02/worst-timeline-printer-company-putting-drm-paper-now |url-status=live |website=EFF}}</ref>
 
HP's implementation of DRM restricting third-party ink cartridge use started in 2016. In that year, HP pushed a controversial firmware update that introduced "dynamic security" measures designed to block non-HP cartridges, causing widespread printer lockouts and cartridge rejections.<ref>{{Cite web |date=2016-09-27 |title=The EFF calls on HP to remove DRM from its printers |url=https://techcrunch.com/2016/09/27/the-eff-calls-on-hp-to-remove-drm-from-its-printers/ |website=TechCrunch |archive-url=http://web.archive.org/web/20250906212015/https://techcrunch.com/2016/09/27/the-eff-calls-on-hp-to-remove-drm-from-its-printers/ |archive-date=6 Sep 2025}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web |title=HP’s DRM sabotages off-brant printer ink cartridges with self-destruct date |url=https://arstechnica.com/information-technology/2016/09/hps-drm-sabotages-off-brand-printer-ink-cartridges-with-self-destruct-date/ |website=Ars Technica |archive-url=http://web.archive.org/web/20260210212454/https://arstechnica.com/information-technology/2016/09/hps-drm-sabotages-off-brand-printer-ink-cartridges-with-self-destruct-date/ |archive-date=10 Feb 2026}}</ref> This update was initially rolled out quietly and activated later, sparking public outcry, campaigns by the Electronic Frontier Foundation (EFF), and media coverage describing it as a DRM "time bomb." HP responded with optional firmware to disable these restrictions but continued to use DRM measures going forward.
 
Key verifiable sources include:
 
*[Gizmodo](https://gizmodo.com/hp-printers-drm-update-block-third-party-ink-1850211997) and [Techdirt](https://www.techdirt.com/2016/09/20/hp-launched-delayed-drm-time-bomb-to-disable-competing-printer-cartridges/) articles tracing the DRM start and ensuing backlash beginning in 2016
*[Wired](https://www.wired.com/2016/09/hp-printer-drm/) reporting on HP's promise to release an optional firmware update to remove DRM in late 2016
 
In summary, HP began systematically locking printers to OEM cartridges with DRM firmware updates starting in 2016, a practice that continues to evolve but originated in that year.


==References==
==References==
{{Reflist}}
{{Reflist}}
[[Category:HP]]
[[Category:HP]]
1. [Tom's Hardware: EFF Requests HP Remove DRM](https://www.tomshardware.com/news/hp-drm-fiasco-eff-requests,32796.html)
2. [Cartridge World: How to Bypass HP Printer Cartridge Error](https://cartridgeworldusa.com/blog/how-to-bypass-hp-printer-cartridge-error)
3. [TechCrunch: The EFF Calls on HP to Remove DRM from Its Printers](https://techcrunch.com/2016/09/27/the-eff-calls-on-hp-to-remove-drm-from-its-printers/)
4. [Techdirt: HP Issues Flimsy Mea Culpa for Printer Cartridge DRM Idiocy](https://www.techdirt.com/2016/10/04/hp-issues-flimsy-mea-culpa-recent-printer-cartridge-drm-idiocy-not-enough/)
5. [Wired: HP Printer DRM](https://www.wired.com/2016/09/hp-printer-drm/)
6. [Ars Technica: HP's DRM Sabotages Off-Brand Printer Ink Cartridges](https://arstechnica.com/information-technology/2016/09/hps-drm-sabotages-off-brand-printer-ink-cartridges-with-self-destruct-date/)
7. [BetaNews: HP Printer Cartridge DRM](https://betanews.com/2016/09/28/hp-printer-cartridge-drm/)
8. [Techdirt: HP Launched Delayed DRM Time Bomb to Disable Competing Printer Cartridges](https://www.techdirt.com/2016/09/20/hp-launched-delayed-drm-time-bomb-to-disable-competing-printer-cartridges/)
9. [Reddit: The Worst Timeline - A Printer Company Is Putting](https://www.reddit.com/r/technology/comments/stkhb7/the_worst_timeline_a_printer_company_is_putting/)
10. [Gizmodo: HP Printers Update Block Third-Party Ink](https://gizmodo.com/hp-printers-drm-update-block-third-party-ink-1850211997)
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