HP Escapes Customer Payouts in Printer-Bricking Lawsuit Settlement

A US District Court judge has approved a settlement between HP and customers who sued the company over firmware updates that blocked non-HP ink cartridges. The lawsuit, filed in December 2020, claimed HP forced users to buy HP ink by issuing updates that blocked competitors' cartridges. Under the settlement, HP does not admit wrongdoing and will not pay damages to affected customers. However, HP will pay $5,000 each to the three plaintiffs and $725,000 in attorneys' fees. The settlement allows users of specific printer models to decline firmware updates with "Dynamic Security" features that block non-HP cartridges. The agreement applies to 21 specific printer models impacted by a November 2020 update. Other HP printers will still be subject to Dynamic Security restrictions. This is not the first time HP has faced similar lawsuits, having previously paid millions in cases in Europe, Australia, and California related to printer bricking. The settlement resolves the class-action lawsuit filed in 2020. The outcome may provide some relief to affected customers, but it does not require HP to make significant changes to its business practices.