Digital BW, The Print

>... Didn't know you could refill the 9600 carts. 
> Ernst, I guess I need a lesson on that too.
>Your 10K cart refurb system works like a charm, flawless.

If we could refill 3800 and up carts, we would be probably be fine.  

I'm not sure where the cross-over is between the free riding on the loss
leaders and profitable printers for Epson.  Before I knew they were going
after the large format carts next, I thought maybe that would be the line.
Epson could probably keep the mass market out of a 3800-like market if its
carts were easily refillable.  The fact that there is a second, separate ITC
matter here may give us the ability to input our sorry and grievances at
this earlier point.  The system runs on information, and if the decision
makers (or "deciders" as the case may be) don't have good information, they
can't make good decisions.

Ernst, do you have a system that works and you could share?

> ... By law they have to continue supporting all the old ones.

In general the law does not hang companies with never-ending support costs.
To move forward we need to cut costs, including support of old products
where it's just a profitless drain of resources that could move us forward.
There may be some state laws and specialized laws for some industries, but
in general the company's reputation (as it relates to making a profit) is
what guides them in this and many other regards. 

> ... if some kid can figure out how to hack into the IPHone 
> I think we can do it with ink carts in a way that doesn't 
> infringe on the patents as they are written now. 

I agree.

Nevertheless, with respect to the ITC action, I think the government -- us
taxpayers -- should not subsidize the big guy's legal expenses in a way that
damages a very legal, small, innovative local industry.  That is what this
ITC action amounts to as it affects us.  Epson has private remedies and can
pursue them.  Additionally, a better-run and staffed ITC could have written
an order that was crafted to not throw out the baby with the bath water.
Assuming the worst here, we ought not to ignore the next case that targets
the large format business.


Paul
www.PaulRoark.com