Hewlett Packard (HP) has introduced a toner cartridge authentication software aimed at helping toner cartridge users avoid using counterfeit cartridges. As of today, the LaserJet 1000, 2000, and 3000 series are all supported by the counterfeit software, which can be downloaded from the HP web site.
The goal of the software is to detect counterfeit toner cartridges and alert the user that the cartridge is not an original HP brand cartridge. It does so through a smart chip, on the toner cartridge, that communicates with the software when the cartridge is first placed in the printer. The software then communicates the information from the smart chip to an authentication service through the Internet (your computer must be connected to the Internet for the service to work). After validation, you receive a pop up message on your computer monitor telling you if the cartridge is authentic or not. According to HP, the new software has a 100% detection rate for counterfeit cartridges.
Where is the value in this for the consumer? You’ve downloaded the software and put a new cartridge in your printer. You now get a warning message. What are you to do? Hopefully you are able to return the cartridge to the vendor you purchased it from, assuming you were sold the cartridge as a genuine HP cartridge. What this really does is put an additional burden in the cartridge users life.
HP is able to gather more information on counterfeit cartridges, but you are stuck with the counterfeit cartridge and what to do with it. HP is not going to help you because it’s not their cartridge.
Additionally, if you take your genuine HP cartridge out of the printer and then put it back in the printer, the software will warn you that you have just put a used cartridge in your printer. I have even heard reports that the software will not let you continue to use the cartridge.
If you are a user of compatible or remanufactured toner cartridges, this software can also cause some problems for you. The software will warn you about using the cartridge and make make it quite difficult to actually get to use the cartridge. Perhaps this additional feature helps HP make sure you use their cartridges rather than those made by someone else.
I get the purpose of the software, no one wants to get stuck with a product that is sold as one thing (genuine HP toner cartridge) and have it actually be something else (counterfeit HP toner cartridge). But, the software can also create some hassles for the toner cartridge user. Give this some thought before you head out and download the software.
