I love my OfficeJet 8020. I have used it for 3 years and only purchased 3rd party ink cartridges. Before I bought it I verified that I could use 3rd party cartridges but would have to put up with messages, but it would work. This past Friday the firmware automatically updated and the result ---- ink cartridges are blocked (the ones I have used continuously). The printer will not print. HP might just as well walked into my office and hit my printer with a sledge hammer. I called HP Customer Service and the guy wanted to help but I was told "your printer is out of warranty, if you do not own and instant ink subscription, or pay us $19.95 I cannot talk to you." I asked, "If I pay you $19.95 will you fix what you have done so I can print with 3rd party cartridges?" His reply "Sir, you must use HP cartridges". I said "I understand, please let me speak to your supervisor". He said OK and put me on hold for several minutes. When he returned he reiterrated his earlier statement. I said, "your supervisor won't speak to me?" After several more prodings he said "Yes, I'm sorry, I can't speak with you anymore" and hung up.
I fully accept that HP can sell electronics and restrict the use of 3rd party cartridges if that is known prior to purchase. It is wrong and clearly illegal to dissable a printer long after the fact and impose new restrictions just to get more revenue. HP has allowed some executive to promise more revenue unethically and I believe illegally. Seems like a fun thing to talk with a lawyer that likes class action law suits.
For Documentation: My conversation with customer service named Dim should be fully recorded and attached to Case #5139005626.