Epson Keeps Printer Owners From Using Non-Epson Ink: Suit (1)

Epson America Inc., systematically disables Epson printers when the owner attempts to use non-Epson ink cartridges, ruining printers or forcing consumers to buy the more expensive Epson ink, according to a new proposed class action filed in California federal court.

Epson America, a unit of Seiko Epson Corp., delivered software or firmware updates to Epson printers that purposely disabled those with non-Epson printer cartridges installed, William Mondigo and Richard Famiglietti allege.

Epson never informed owners that the updates would prevent their printers from working if they had third-party ink cartridges installed, the Oct. 18 suit says. Rather, the Epson ...