EU COMMISSION INVESTIGATES EXPENSIVE OEM PRINTER INK

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Date: Tuesday April 14, 2009 12:23:49 pm
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  • Anonymous
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    http://www.computeridee.nl/nieuws.jsp?id=2410829    
    European Commission investigates expensive printer ink
    The
    European Commission is currently finalizing a study on the possible
    competition in the market of (expensive) ink cartridges for printers.
    The investigation, which started in 2002, is now at an advanced stage.

    The
    comparison Printer.com suggested in December that nearly all printer
    manufacturers in a short time after the other significant price
    increases up to 20% at the post were. Printer.com select and calculate
    accurately what a printer costs including the cost of cartridges. This
    can easily be determined by price increases implemented by the
    manufacturer. These findings were also cause for MEP Bart Staes to
    again ask questions.

    According Staes Kroes stressed that first
    and foremost, without prejudice to seek full respect of European
    competition rules, all companies on an equal footing with each other to
    compete. On April 1, 2003 confirmed the then European Commissioner
    Monti to Staes that an effective investigation was launched into the
    possible distortion of fair competition from producers of printers. Now
    six years later approaching this research – which include addressing
    the question whether or not there is tied – a denouement.

    Staes:
    “Six years is too long for such a study, although it is important that
    the Commission act carefully. The research is focused on whether the
    producers of printers because of the shape and price of their ink
    cartridges Community requirements in terms of competition law. This is
    an extremely complex investigation, both economically and legally. “
    “But
    it is high time that consumers in Europe once the truth is told about
    this case. And that is also taken to ensure that every year tens of
    millions of empty or half empty cartridges in the municipal land. On
    average, ten, twenty percent empty ink cartridges are refilled and
    reused. This is madness, because it can least five times per cartridge!

    At the end of 2007 concluded the American Consumer Institute
    (ACI) that the price of printers is kept artificially low, while the
    price of ink cartridges is too high. The ACI study also showed that
    manufacturers sometimes filled in for not even one quarter.

    The
    European Parliament, in the context of electronic waste directive from
    2006 to electronic chips to remove the ink cartridges. These often
    prevent a refilled cartridge back in the printer can be used. But in
    practice, manufacturers like HP and Epson do just that. “Reuse, where
    consumers also benefit, is this, discouraged. From an environmental
    point of view is that a disgrace,” said Staes.

    Printer.com, the following price of the printer manufacturers:
    HP
    01-11-2008 +5%
    01-01-2009 again an increase of 10%
    Canon
    01-01-2009 +5%
    01-03-2009 again an increase of 8% (ink)
    01-04-2009 again an increase of 8% (toner)
    Epson
    20-11-2008 +5% to +10%
    IBM
    01-10-2008 +2% to +15%
    01-12-2008 a further increase of 8%
    OKI
    01-12-2008 +5% to +8%
    01-04-2009 again an increase of 6%
    Xerox
    01-10-2008 +7%
    01-12-2008 again an increase of 11%
    Brother
    01-01-2009 +5%
    Lexmark
    15-08-2008 +5%
    01-11-2008 again an increase of 8%
    02-12-2008 +8%
    Samsung
    01-01-2009 +10%
    Konica-Minolta
    16-02-2009 +13%

    The increases are approximate and are average increases per manufacturer. Increases of individual type cartridges may vary.

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