HP systemic DRM and firmware lockouts: Difference between revisions

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>

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>