HP Ink Cartridge Class Action Lawsuit

There has been a settlement in the HP Ink Cartridge Lawsuit. To file a claim, click here. For instructions on how to fill out the HP ink cartridge claim form, click here.

The HP ink cartridge lawsuit settlement is for $1.5 million. The motion for preliminary approval noted that each class member is likely to receive $150 or more if they file a claim.

The settlement covers most models of HP OfficeJet models, and anyone who owned one any time between March 1, 2015 and December 31, 2017. Claims must be submitted by March 8, 2019.

What is the HP Ink Cartridge Lawsuit About?

The lawsuit concerned allegations that HP sabotaged the printers of consumers who use non-HP ink cartridges by causing those printers to fail if a non-HP printer ink cartridge was in use.

According to reports, thousands of HP printers that were using non-HP ink cartridges began displaying an error message on September 13, 2016, which read: “Cartridge Problem. The following ink cartridges appear to be missing or damaged. Replace the cartridges and resume printing.” Other reports indicate that these failures may have started as early as March 2016, when the software update allegedly responsible for disabling HP printers was distributed by HP.

Update: Gibbs Law Group has filed a nationwide class action lawsuit against HP in federal court for the Northern District of California. The lawsuit brings claims against HP for violation of California’s Unfair Competition Law and unjust enrichment. If you were affected by HP’s printer-disabling software update, please contact one of our consumer protection attorneys to learn more about how you can get involved.

Lawsuit: Widespread HP Printer Failures Due to Use of Non-HP Ink Cartridges

Thousands of HP printers using non-HP ink cartridges failed on or around September 13, 2016. These failures were allegedly not the result of a malfunction but were allegedly caused by software code created by HP. The code caused an error message to be displayed stating that the ink cartridge was “damaged” or “missing” and the printer to be rendered inoperable if non-HP ink was being used. Users who tried to install older versions of HP’s printer firmware as a result of this failure report that HP deleted links to older firmware files from its site. Based on the investigation of a Dutch company, HP allegedly included a failure date in its printer firmware that triggered the error for all printers using non-HP cartridges starting on September 13, 2016.

The scandal led to HP issuing a statement on Dutch TV station NOS. HP stated that the printers were programmed to fail because HP wants to protect innovation and intellectual property, and because HP wants to improve “the safety of its products for customers.” HP further stated that its goal was to “protect and secure communications between cartridge and printer.”

HP Printer Models Affected by Pre-Programmed Failure Code

At least the following HP printers have been affected:

HP has also reportedly confirmed that all OfficeJet, OfficeJet Pro and OfficeJet Pro X with HP numbers 934/935, 950/951 and 970/971 are affected.