QTR-Quadtone RIP

>As I understand Jon Cone's message, 3rd Party Ink Carts will no 
>longer be legal or available in the US.

The matter is not final.  The U.S. Trade Representative has been delegated
the President's power to review the matter.  The review period ends December
19.  It's possible the ITC order will be overturned.  However, this has only
been done 5 times.  So it's a long shot.  Nonetheless, we've encouraged
people to send letters to the Trade Rep.  See my letter at
http://paulroark.com/Letter-Schwab.zip 

> If this is the case, and using CIS systems are not in the cards 
> for a number of reasons, will someone tell me where is one is to 
> get the all black inks for these printers so we 
> can continue to us QTR.

First, stock up on empty refillable carts now, if you can find them.

The matter is really focused on patent infringement by the third party
cartridge makers and sellers.  The patent that is most dangerous to
competition is one that specifies where the chip contacts are located.  So,
while the carts are the issue, the chip patent looks like the only one that
is real trouble.  The others look easy enough to design around.

Epson chips up to the R260 style could just be re-set.  The 260 chip design
changes this.  So, for all printers prior to the 260, chips will be
available.  I suspect re-engineered carts will also be available.  

If Epson takes the 260 chip design to all its printers, that will be sad.
I'm eagerly awaiting information on the R1900 chip.  If it's the old style,
I suspect we're going to be OK.  One possible strategy of Epson is to
separate the low end machines that are loss-leaders from the higher end
machines.  The R1900 might be the first indication of which direction Epson
is going. 

Note that the Epson ITC matter relates only to desktop units.  Large format
was not included.  There is, however, a private suit dealing with large
format that could be the beginning of a similar strategy aimed at those
printers.

Inks will always be available.  So, large format printers for which chips
can be re-set will continue to be useable.  Also, those with ample
refillable carts will be able to refill those carts for as long as they
last.

For desktop printers with chips available, CISs can be designed that do not
use carts.  I've suggested the use of dampers for some time now, and it
appears at least one competitor had already been doing that (Inkrepublic.com
I think).

It's really hard, if not impossible, to thwart determined, innovative
competitors and hackers, and Epson does not need to.  Realistically, it
needs to reduce the third party ink usage at the low end most, and at the
high end.  It may not even want to pressure people like on these lists too
much.  Epson will not be helped by driving us to a competitor. 


Paul
www.PaulRoark.com