- Users have reported impaired print quality with third -party ink
- Firmware updates are blamed but brother denies all claims
- HP has previously admitted on updates that affected third -party ink performance
Printer producer brother has refused to lock users to their own ink cartridges via so -called firmware updates.
The news came after the electronics technician and right-to-repair activist Louis Rossmann accused the company of updating his printer company to either block non-OEM tones or impair performance.
Additional posts on the Internet, including Reddit threads, have confirmed similar problems from other users who noticed print quality drop when using third-party tones.
Brother denies to block third -party ink
Furthermore, return to older firmware versions has proved either difficult or impossible, which means that printers who previously acted as usual could now be considered ‘destroyed’.
The company said (via Ars Technica): “We are aware of the recent false claims that suggest that a brother firmware update may have limited the use of third -party ink cartridges. Be sure Brother Firmware updates do not block the use of third-party ink in our machines. “
Brother claimed that variations in third-party toner quality could be responsible for problems with print quality: “Brother printers do not intentionally break down print quality based on whether a brother real or non-genuine ink/ toner cartridge is used. Brother cannot verify the quality of printing that will result when using a third party that is compatible with a brother printer. “
HP has faced litigation and legal settlements on similar issues where CEO Enrique Lores justifies third -party ink blocking by referring to improved security. Back at the end of 2023, CFO Marie Myers also noted that instant ink subscribers are 20% more profitable for the company.
“It’s standard practice that we are performing a brother [G]Enuine Check When Troubleshooting a Brother Printer … We believe this check in the process may have led to a misunderstanding[,] But as we confirmed, the firmware update would not be responsible for the breakdown of quality or removal of printer functions, ”Brother added.
