Part 2: Even HP India Resellers Said Toner and Ink Prices Were Too High, Antitrust Probe Finds

India’s antitrust crackdown on HP India continues to expose troubling details behind the company’s government toner and ink sales practices. Following Tonernews.com’s previous report on India’s $13.3 million bid-rigging case, newly revealed findings show that even HP’s own authorized resellers believed HP’s toner and ink prices were so high that meaningful price competition was nearly impossible. According to reports, India’s Competition Commission (CCI) found that HP India allegedly coordinated bids, controlled reseller participation through Manufacturer Authorization Forms (MAFs), and helped orchestrate a cartel involving toner cartridges, ink cartridges, and other print consumables sold through government procurement tenders between 2017 and 2020. The case underscores growing scrutiny of HP’s printer supplies business model and raises fresh questions about OEM pricing, reseller margins, and competition in the global toner and ink cartridge market.