I recently bought some ink for my HP printer (genuine HP cartridges, never use refills) and upon changing the cartridges I get an error stating that the cartridge was incompatible with my printer...
On further investigation I read up about HP's region coding which works the same as DVD region coding basically, allowing printers manufactured in the US to work with only ink which was manufactured there as well, whereas before, regardless of where your pritner was manufactured, ink made anywhere would work with it.
From what I understand it was done to combat fluctuating rates for the US and Euro currency, since at one time cartridges in the US were costing much cheaper to the equivalent Euro conversion...
I guess this may not have a huge impact in US, but in other smaller countries, where most products are imported from mainly either the US or Asia, problems may arise... from what I've seen when I purchase cartridges there are either made in Puerto Rico or Singapore... I guess I will have to scrutinise what I buy now to make sure it will work for my printer.
On further investigation I read up about HP's region coding which works the same as DVD region coding basically, allowing printers manufactured in the US to work with only ink which was manufactured there as well, whereas before, regardless of where your pritner was manufactured, ink made anywhere would work with it.
From what I understand it was done to combat fluctuating rates for the US and Euro currency, since at one time cartridges in the US were costing much cheaper to the equivalent Euro conversion...
I guess this may not have a huge impact in US, but in other smaller countries, where most products are imported from mainly either the US or Asia, problems may arise... from what I've seen when I purchase cartridges there are either made in Puerto Rico or Singapore... I guess I will have to scrutinise what I buy now to make sure it will work for my printer.
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