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Lexmark caught installing spyware with drivers.

Well...crappy print quality, crappy cost per page (expensive) and then this...good thing I never had Lexmark printers...
 
Originally posted by: shabby
Oh no, lexmark knows my printer usage :disgust:

They tried in court for over a year to claim that using generic ink cartridges was a DMCA violation and in violation of their copyright. They could easily use this type of spyware to collect IP addresses of people using these generic cartridges and send C&D letters or sue en masse RIAA style had they prevailed in court on their DMCA claim.
 
I wonder if that "alleged" spyware is only installed on systems with inkjet printers. We have a bunch of Lexmark laser printers at my place of employment but corporate users are probably more likely to use genuine Lexmark replacement cartridges so maybe the "alleged" spyware is not included for installing their laser devices.
 
AFAIK it's only the ink jets, but no reason it couldn't be both.

Thanks for correcting the spelling, Adn. I'm not gonna bother with the beta. I'm sure they get the idea...

.bh.

The :sun:, the :sun: !
 
If I read the article correctly, the tracking software is installed as part of the supporting apps for the
printer, not necessarily as part of the driver set.

In a corporate environment, most of the attached computers would be using the printer over a network
connection, so would only install the drivers needed for basic printing. But the Server or workstation
that the printer is setup from might indeed have installed the additional apps.

I gave up on Lexmark when one printer (a 3200) simply refused to print anymore one day.
And the followup printer (an X75) would not let me use the color inks to print text when the
black ink cartridge ran out.

Currently I'm in the market for a new All-in-one printer, and its back to Epson, Canon, and
possibly HP as contenders.


 
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