HP has scored another major legal win in a controversial battle over printer ink, dealing a fresh blow to consumers who accuse the company of using firmware and software restrictions to lock them into HP-branded cartridges. In Robinson et al. v. HP Inc., Case No. 1:24-cv-00164, in the U.S. District Court for the Northern District of Illinois, the court dismissed the plaintiffs’ amended antitrust claims, marking another setback for the customers challenging HP’s alleged restrictions on third-party ink cartridges. The lawsuit centers on a contentious question for consumers: can a printer manufacturer use technology to make compatible, cheaper alternatives effectively unusable? Plaintiffs alleged that HP’s firmware and software practices limited consumer choice, protected HP’s position in the lucrative printer-ink aftermarket, and made it harder for third-party cartridge makers to compete. HP’s latest victory, however, underscores the difficulty of turning allegations about restrictive technology and expensive replacement supplies into a legally viable antitrust case. The dispute puts HP printer firmware, third-party ink cartridges, aftermarket competition, consumer choice, and the broader “right to repair” debate under the legal microscope.
