HP’s strict external print cartridge policy has little support. In an interview, HP boss Enrique Lores explains why HP remains stubborn.

Enrique Lores, CEO of HP, was a guest on CNBC for an interview. The conversation covered, among other things, the PC industry, hybrid working and the role that HP wants to play in it, but also controversial aspects Dynamic securityGuidelines that the manufacturer applies to its home and office printers. HP strictly blocks third-party ink cartridges, a measure that is not well received by customers.

Safety and sustainability

HP has been using this measure since 2016 and always defends itself with the argument that this is necessary for the security of printers. Cartridges from the manufacturer are equipped with a chip that tells the printer that it is the correct ink. Unidentifiable chips can pose a security risk: the ink could be harmful to the printer, not to mention potential malware that could hide a cartridge.

Lores confirms this argument: “It is important for us to protect our intellectual property. We have integrated much of our intellectual property into the ink cartridges and printers. If we identify cartridges that violate this, the printers will stop working.” In addition to safety, Lores cites another popular sustainability topic in defense of his policy: customers can return used cartridges to HP for recycling. A service they clearly cannot offer to external parties.

Print subscriptions

Lores also admits later in the interview that economic motives are at play. HP wants to offer its printers “as a service” with an associated subscription, such as Instant Ink. This is significantly more lucrative for HP than selling a printer once. “Every time a customer buys a printer, it is an investment for us. We’re investing in that customer, and if that customer isn’t printing enough or isn’t using our supplies, that’s a bad investment,” Lores said.

So it doesn’t look like HP will be making concessions any time soon, even though the printer manufacturer has already been sued. HP has already paid out 1.5 million euros in compensation to dissatisfied customers in Belgium and Europe.