Digital BW, The Print

I am a wet darkroom veteran trying to get my feet wet in digital B & W
printing.  I am not interested in prints bigger than 8x10 so the
higher end printers (R2400, HP 9180, Canon 9500, etc.) seem like
overkill for my amateur efforts. They are too big and too expensive.
  
After reading Paul Roark and others about the marvels of B & W
printing with cheap Epson printers I naively ordered a new R280 from
Epson and a set of Warm tone MIS UT-RC Ultratone cartridges from
Inksupply on the same day. At that time I had never heard of the Epson
law suit.  The printer is in the corner as yet uninstalled.  I got
back an email from Inksupply that there would be a temporary delay in
filling my order.  I called their customer support phone number but
got voicemail.  After an email back I received the following message:

"Unfortunately it seems as though these cartridges are effected by the
Epson suit with our supplier for the empty cartridges. Currently we
are attempting to receive a new batch of the R260 cartridges but it
may be another two weeks before they are received. We are sorry for
any inconvenience and thank you for your patience. Please contact us
if we may assist you in any way."

Does this mean that Epson cartridges will be scarce forever?
Even if they send these cartridges can I get more in the future?
Can they be refilled by me or by Inksupply?
Are there other viable alternatives that I do not know or understand?
Should I try to return the printer to Epson?    Please help.  Dave