Current:Home > MarketsHP fails to derail claims that it bricks scanners on multifunction printers when ink runs low-DB Wealth Institute B2 Expert Reviews
HP fails to derail claims that it bricks scanners on multifunction printers when ink runs low
View Date:2025-01-11 05:34:45
SAN FRANCISCO (AP) — HP has failed to shunt aside class-action legal claims that it disables the scanners on its multifunction printers when their ink runs low. Though not for lack of trying.
On Aug. 10, a federal judge ruled that HP Inc. must face a class-action lawsuit claiming that the company designs its “all-in-one” inkjet printers to disable scanning and faxing functions whenever a single printer ink cartridge runs low. The company had sought — for the second time — to dismiss the lawsuit on technical legal grounds.
“It is well-documented that ink is not required in order to scan or to fax a document, and it is certainly possible to manufacture an all-in-one printer that scans or faxes when the device is out of ink,” the plaintiffs wrote in their complaint. “Indeed, HP designs its all-in-one printer products so they will not work without ink. Yet HP does not disclose this fact to consumers.”
The lawsuit charges that HP deliberately withholds this information from consumers to boost profits from the sale of expensive ink cartridges.
Color printers require four ink cartridges -- one black and a set of three cartridges in cyan, magenta and yellow for producing colors. Some will also refuse to print if one of the color cartridges is low, even in black-and-white mode.
HP declined to comment on the issue, citing the pending litigation. The company’s court filings in the case have generally not addressed the substance of the plaintiff’s allegations.
In early 2022, U.S. District Judge Beth Labson Freeman dismissed the complaint on legal grounds but did not address the lawsuit’s claims. The judge allowed the plaintiffs to amend their claim and resubmit it. On Aug. 10, the judge largely rejected HP’s request to dismiss the revised complaint, allowing the case to proceed.
All-in-one inkjet printers generally seem like a bargain compared to the cost of separate devices with scanning, copying and fax functions. For instance, HP currently sells its all-in-one OfficeJet Pro 8034e online for just $159. But its least expensive standalone scanner, the ScanJet Pro s2, lists for $369 — more than twice the cost of the multifunction printer.
Of course, only one of these devices requires printer ink. “Printer ink is wildly expensive,” Consumer Reports states in its current printer buying guide, noting that consumer ink costs can easily run more than $70 a year.
Worse, a significant amount of printer ink is never actually used to print documents because it’s consumed by inkjet printer maintenance cycles. In 2018, Consumer Reports tested of hundreds of all in one inkjet printers and found that with intermittent printer use, many models delivered less than half of their ink to printed documents. A few managed no more than 20% to 30%.
HP isn’t alone in facing such legal complaints. A different set of plaintiffs sued the U.S. unit of printer and camera maker Canon Inc. in 2021 for similarly handicapping its all-in-one printers without disclosure. The parties settled that case in late 2022.
veryGood! (17765)
Related
- CRYPTIFII Introduce
- How long do betta fish live? Proper care can impact their lifespan
- Wicked's Ariana Grande, Cynthia Erivo, Idina Menzel and Kristin Chenoweth Have Magical Red Carpet Moment
- A list of mass killings in the United States this year
- Joel Embiid injury, suspension update: When is 76ers star's NBA season debut?
- Yellowstone Cast Reveals “Challenging” Series End Without Kevin Costner
- Vanderbilt QB Diego Pavia files lawsuit vs. NCAA in hopes of gaining extra eligibility
- Horoscopes Today, November 8, 2024
- The ancient practice of tai chi is more popular than ever. Why?
- Board approves Arkansas site for planned 3,000-inmate prison despite objections
Ranking
- Deion Sanders addresses trash thrown at team during Colorado's big win at Texas Tech
- Michigan jury awards millions to a woman fired after refusing to get a COVID-19 vaccine
- HBO Addresses Euphoria Cancellation Rumors Ahead of Season 3
- 'My husband was dying right in front of me': Groom suffers brain injury in honeymoon fall
- Ashton Jeanty stats: How many rushing yards did Boise State Heisman hopeful have vs Nevada
- Gov. Tim Walz vows to fight Donald Trump’s agenda while working to understand his appeal
- More than 500K space heaters sold on Amazon, TikTok recalled after 7 fires, injury
- Don’t Miss Wicked Stanley Cups at Target—Plus Magical Movie Merch From Funko Pop!, R.E.M. Beauty & More
Recommendation
-
The Office's Kate Flannery Defends John Krasinski's Sexiest Man Alive Win
-
Pete Holmes, Judy Greer on their tears and nerves before 'The Best Christmas Pageant Ever'
-
How Wicked Director Jon M. Chu Joined L.A. Premiere From the Hospital as Wife Preps to Give Birth
-
NYC man is charged with insurance fraud in staged car crash captured by dashcam
-
Mother of Man Found Dead in Tanning Bed at Planet Fitness Gym Details His Final Moments
-
5 wounded in shooting at Virginia restaurant
-
Mississippi Senate paid Black attorney less than white ones, US Justice Department says
-
National Fried Chicken Sandwich Day 2024 is Saturday: Check out these deals and freebies