HP printer update bans use of third-party ink cartridges

UPDATE:
The information below is no longer up to date. Please read our latest article at Printer ink shenanigans: HP blocks use of third-party ink cartridges

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Dutch consumer groups are crying havoc as HP rolled out a software update for some of its printers that bans the use of third-party ink cartridges.

In a letter to its customers, Dutch webshop 123inkt.nl warns this software update reprogrammed some HP printer series to display a "technical error" message when the device detects non-original ink cartridges. It's unknown how widespread the issue is but NOS writes HP pulled the same trick in Portugal.

HP refused to issue a statement to the press but a helpful helpdesk employee told a client something went "horribly wrong" and promises this is unintentional and will be fixed in a future update.