3/24/2017 2 Comments The Supreme Ink? #9When was the last time you bought a new printer for your computer? When was the last time you replaced the cartridges for that printer? If you are like me, I replaced my printer fairly recently, the price was amazing, and the new updated quality of the printer was impressive. And then reality set in, it needed a new ink cartridge and back I went to the store where I had bought the printer. This is where the romance ended- the replacement cartridges are insanely expensive and to make matters worse, the packaging and lack of recycled elements make it what must be one of the worst ecological products on the market today. In the news just this week, an incredible story about a case being heard by the US Supreme Court over the right of individuals to refill ink and toner cartridges. One of the more interesting aspects of this case is just how old this actual issue is, and that was determined by the Supreme Court in 1850. But first let me explain how this case came into being, and it revolves around a printer company known as Lexmark. Lexmark has a reputation for providing high-quality printers at a very attractive price. At the same time those, printers are incredibly expensive to replace the cartridges in, and an entire business began to exist because of that. Companies started up that would take the Lexmark cartridges and recharge them, much to the dismay of Lexmark. The response of Lexmark was to market “discounted cartridges” to consumers if they agreed not to resell or reuse the cartridges. A company known as Impression Products has challenged this, with the intent that “patent exhaustion” exists with regards to the issue, citing the Supreme Court ruling on this issue in 1850. Lexmark actually has sued multiple companies similar to Impression Products and been successful in doing so. However, the concept of “patent exhaustion” as is defined by the Supreme Court clearly states that a manufacturer loses their rights to control the fate of a product once they have been sold to a customer. Seems logical enough, but Lexmark is not giving in so easily, which is why the case is being heard by the Supreme Court.
Either way, what is very clear to me is that the lack of ethical responsibility of these manufacturers to deliver printers and cartridges that are ecologically sound is clear. I recently had to replace the cartridge, the amount of plastic that is not recyclable, as well as the packaging is astounding. Everything from the actual box of the item, to the cartridge itself must be put into the trash and this is simply not acceptable. The idea that smaller startup companies exist to try and recycle or recharge these cartridges is so appropriate, and yet what we see is big business is just not going to allow it. Lexmark should take an entire shift in the way it models it business, and find a leadership role in creating printer cartridges that are both recyclable, and do not waste any resources on packaging or marketing. Before you go out and buy another printer, do your homework and be sure you fully understand that it is not just the machine, but what follows after it and how it will affect the environment for years to come.
2 Comments
Sean O'Fallon
5/9/2017 10:29:34 am
I'm surprised Lexmark doesn't just offer the same service as these other companies that are trying to take business away from them. If another company can make money refilling ink cartridges, Lexmark should be able to do the same thing. This would prevent them from losing the market and be better for the environment thatn having to completely replace them.
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Cammron Keehley
5/23/2017 09:08:12 pm
Hey Luigi,
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