HP to Region-code Cartridges

prostoalex writes "Looks like the printer cartridge manufacturers will be borrowing techniques from Hollywood. HP introduced region coding for some of the newest printers sold in Europe. HP's US location and US dollar sliding lead to the situation, where cartridge prices in Europe are significantly higher than those in the States. In the Wall Street Journal article HP representative in Europe claims the company doesn't make any money off regional coding for cartridges, and that consumers will win once the US dollar rises over Euro."

How Stupid?

[mr i want to go home]

How stupid do the PR people for these companies think we are?

Consumers will win once the US dollar rises over Euro

Oh yes! I'm sure consumer in the US will be thrilled!

Well...

[10101001011]

and that consumers will win once the US dollar rises over Euro."

So, I am never going to win?

code my money

[zmollusc]

I would like to region code my money so that it cannot be used outside my home country. What's that? currency exchanges? I am sorry, but by accepting my payment you agree to the EULA on my cheque which forbids you from exchanging, transferring or otherwise distributing my money. You can keep my money but cannot transfer it to someone else. I also have a huge list of restrictions on how you can store and play with my money. There, that's fair isn't it?

You know...

[Slowleggs]

this really inks me.

Re:Apple, Dell, HP,...

[bhima]

The last time I went to the US I bought an Apple Dual G5, 30" LCD, 4gigs of RAM and an iPod. The cost savings was more than the cost of the trip and I got to see a few American friends I haven't seen in years.

I did have a small talk at baggage check-in about the weight of the G5 and with the customs guy here in Austria about how new the stuff looked but even he did not really care that much. That the dollar sucks so much just makes it more attractive... it's like vacationing in a third world country only with lots of SUVs and chubby people.

Re:Gotta love cheap imports

[Anonymous Coward]

consumers will win once the US dollar rises over Euro

So, it is safe to build up my retirement-fond with HP-cartridges.

Re:First they came for the DVD's

[Anonymous Coward]

what's next?

I hope it is not pr0n.

Please let it not be pr0n.

Re:Dollar rising

[iamatlas]

[SOUTHERN ACCENT] Ya'll see hear young buck, just as the South shall rise again in Glory heretofore unheard of, so too shall the mighty Dollar rise again against the spineless Euro! [/SOUTHER ACCENT]

Re:Why are they doing it? - What to get instead?

[yasth]

They are still laughing. You are just too deaf to hear them. :P

Re:First they came for the DVD's

[monkey_jam]

then they came for porn

I think i stand for the whole slashdot crowd when i say "I'd definitely come for porn too"

Re:First they came for the DVD's

[chrish]

Those aren't watermarks!

Re:Why are they doing it?

[Oddly_Drac]

"price-discriminate in varying economic climates"

Huzzah for Globalisation! I have the freedom to watch my job move to Mumbai, but I'll be jiggered if I can buy a printer cartridge from there.

Re:Where's AntiTrust when you need them?

[wheany]

Support them for their open drivers, or ditch them due to idiotic marketing choices?

As a Windows user, I say "ditch them due to idiotic marketing choices."

Re:My opinion: Fire Carly Fiorina!

[MrDingusMcGee]

Antitrust has to do with monoplys.

That's why any American who is pro-consumer buys two-ply! Easier on the rear and doesn't support those corporate pigs!