Compatible ink

Compatible ink and toner (also called consumables) is manufactured by third party manufacturers and are designed to work in designated printers without infringing on patents of printer manufacturers. These toners may come in a variety of packaging including sealed plastic wraps or taped plastic wraps. Regardless of packaging, compatible products are generally priced lower than original equipment manufacturer (OEM) brand consumable products. While there has been considerable debate and litigation involving the ink and toner patents of printer manufacturers,^[1] third party manufacturers continue to thrive. Manufacturers of compatible ink and toner products currently control about 25% the ink and toner market^[2] well over $8 Billion annually.^[3]

Types

Compatible ink is manufactured for several types of machines including fax machines, laser printers, inkjet printers, multifunction printers, and copiers. Aside from compatible products, three other sources of consumables are also available to supply these machines, including OEM brand ink and toner, remanufactured toner and ink cartridges, and refilled ink and toner cartridges. Compatible ink manufacturers differentiate their product by using all new parts, whereas other ink replacements recycle used OEM parts.^{[citation needed]}

Quality

Part of the debate surrounding compatible consumables is about the quality of compatible products. Third part manufacturers^[who?] defend the quality of their products vigorously.^{[citation needed]} Independent testing on compatible ink show little or no difference in quality between compatible and OEM products.^[4] However, many critics^[who?] of compatible ink say the colors (especially yellow) on prints are not as bright as genuine ink, and that finished prints appear to be less glossy. Critics^[who?] also say that color prints made with compatible ink are less durable than OEM ink and toners as well. One example given is that while Epson OEM ink can produce prints that last for 92 years, compatible ink prints generally fade more quickly.^[5]

See also

• vendor lock-in

References

1. ^ Epson Files Lawsuit Against 123inkjets.com, PrintPal.com, Supermedia.com, & leading Distributor, 2007, (June)
2. ^ Rivals Say HP Is Using Hardball Tactics. Business Week, 2007, (February)
3. ^ Ink Inc. San Francisco Chronicle 2004, (July)
4. ^ http://www.mediasciences.com/pdfs/IA%208200%20Report%20Final.pdf
5. ^ Cheap Ink Probed. PC World 2003, (August)