https://www.bleepingcomputer.com/news/legal/canon-sued-for-disabling-scanner-when-printers-run-out-of-ink/ BleepingComputer.com logo * * * [ ] [Login] [Sign up] * * * [ ] [Login] [Sign up] * News + Featured + Latest + Accenture confirms data breach after August ransomware attack Accenture confirms data breach after August ransomware attack + US links $5.2 billion worth of Bitcoin transactions to ransomware US links $5.2 billion worth of Bitcoin transactions to ransomware + Russian cybercrime gang targets finance firms with stealthy macros Russian cybercrime gang targets finance firms with stealthy macros + Twitch downplays this month's hack, says it had minimal impact Twitch downplays this month's hack, says it had minimal impact + Windows 11 build 22000.282 fixes CPU performance issues, taskbar bug Windows 11 build 22000.282 fixes CPU performance issues, taskbar bug + Canon sued for disabling scanner when printers run out of ink Canon sued for disabling scanner when printers run out of ink + This certification course helps you master Agile Scrum This certification course helps you master Agile Scrum + The Week in Ransomware - October 15th 2021 - Disrupting ransoms The Week in Ransomware - October 15th 2021 - Disrupting ransoms * Downloads + Latest + Most Downloaded + Qualys BrowserCheck Qualys BrowserCheck + STOPDecrypter STOPDecrypter + AuroraDecrypter AuroraDecrypter + FilesLockerDecrypter FilesLockerDecrypter + AdwCleaner AdwCleaner + ComboFix ComboFix + RKill RKill + Junkware Removal Tool Junkware Removal Tool * Virus Removal Guides + Latest + Most Viewed + Ransomware + How to remove the PBlock+ adware browser extension How to remove the PBlock+ adware browser extension + Remove the Toksearches.xyz Search Redirect Remove the Toksearches.xyz Search Redirect + Remove the Smashapps.net Search Redirect Remove the Smashapps.net Search Redirect + Remove the Smashappsearch.com Search Redirect Remove the Smashappsearch.com Search Redirect + Remove Security Tool and SecurityTool (Uninstall Guide) Remove Security Tool and SecurityTool (Uninstall Guide) + How to remove Antivirus 2009 (Uninstall Instructions) How to remove Antivirus 2009 (Uninstall Instructions) + How to Remove WinFixer / Virtumonde / Msevents / Trojan.vundo How to Remove WinFixer / Virtumonde / Msevents / Trojan.vundo + How to remove Google Redirects or the TDSS, TDL3, or Alureon rootkit using TDSSKiller How to remove Google Redirects or the TDSS, TDL3, or Alureon rootkit using TDSSKiller + Locky Ransomware Information, Help Guide, and FAQ Locky Ransomware Information, Help Guide, and FAQ + CryptoLocker Ransomware Information Guide and FAQ CryptoLocker Ransomware Information Guide and FAQ + CryptorBit and HowDecrypt Information Guide and FAQ CryptorBit and HowDecrypt Information Guide and FAQ + CryptoDefense and How_Decrypt Ransomware Information Guide and FAQ CryptoDefense and How_Decrypt Ransomware Information Guide and FAQ * Tutorials + Latest + Popular + How to make the Start menu full screen in Windows 10 How to make the Start menu full screen in Windows 10 + How to install the Microsoft Visual C++ 2015 Runtime How to install the Microsoft Visual C++ 2015 Runtime + How to open an elevated PowerShell Admin prompt in Windows 10 How to open an elevated PowerShell Admin prompt in Windows 10 + How to Translate a Web Page in Google Chrome How to Translate a Web Page in Google Chrome + How to start Windows in Safe Mode How to start Windows in Safe Mode + How to remove a Trojan, Virus, Worm, or other Malware How to remove a Trojan, Virus, Worm, or other Malware + How to show hidden files in Windows 7 How to show hidden files in Windows 7 + How to see hidden files in Windows How to see hidden files in Windows * Deals + Categories + eLearning eLearning + IT Certification Courses IT Certification Courses + Gear & Gadgets Gear + Gadgets + Security Security * Forums * More + Startup Database + Uninstall Database + File Database + Glossary + Chat on Discord + Send us a Tip! + Welcome Guide * Home * News * Legal * Canon sued for disabling scanner when printers run out of ink * * Canon sued for disabling scanner when printers run out of ink By Bill Toulas * October 16, 2021 * 10:28 AM * 4 Printer Canon USA is being sued for not allowing owners of certain printers to use the scanner or faxing functions if they run out of ink. David Leacraft, a customer of Canon, filed the class action lawsuit on Tuesday alleging deceptive marketing and unjust enrichment by the printer manufacturer. Refusing to scan when out of ink While using his Pixma MG6320 printer from Canon, the plaintiff was surprised to discover that the "all-in-one" machine would refuse to scan or fax documents if the printer ran out of ink. As ink is not necessary to perform scans or faxes, the argument is that the printer features should continue to work even if there is no ink in the device. "Plaintiff Leacraft would not have purchased the device or would not have paid as much for it had he known that he would have to maintain ink in the device in order to scan documents," reads the complaint for the class action lawsuit. Since at least 2016, other customers have contacted Canon about this exact problem [1, 2] and were told by support agents that ink cartridges must be installed and contain ink to use the printer's features, as shown by the agent's response below. Canon customer support agent saying you need ink to scanCanon customer support agent saying you need ink to scan Source: Canon The complaint further illustrates with images of a Pixma MG2522 box that Canon advertises its All-in-One printers as including three distinct features - print, copying, and scanning. However, there is no warning to show that ink is required for all of these features. Further posts [1. 2] found by BleepingComputer also shows Canon telling customers that all inks tanks must contain ink if they wish to print in greyscale, as it may damage the printer. "The PIXMA MX710 must have all ink tanks installed and they all must contain ink. If you attempt to print with no ink or an empty ink, you would risk damaging the printer," a support agent posted to the Canon forums. Forcing users to buy ink cartridges As such, the class action lawsuit states that consumers had been deceived into buying a product that was designed to artificially and unethically introduce functional bottlenecks by tying them to ink levels, even if there's no practical link between them. "As opposed to the "single function" printers it sells, Canon calls these multifunction devices a "3-in-1" or "4-in-1" for the fact they purportedly provide three or four functions," reads the class action complaint against Canon USA. "In truth, the All-in-One Printers do not scan or fax documents when the devices have low or empty ink cartridges (the "Design Issue"), and Canon's advertising claims are false, misleading, and reasonably likely to deceive the public." According to the lawsuit, Canon is only doing this to increase its profits by selling replacement ink cartridges, hence the accusations for unjust enrichment. Considering that printer inks expire typically after two or three years, even if someone rarely or never prints on these all-in-one machines, they would be practically forced to keep buying new ink just to use all functions of the device. "There is no reason or technical basis for manufacturing the All-in-One Printers with an ink level detection function that causes the scanner to stop functioning when ink is low or empty. Canon designed the All-in-One Printers in such a way to require consumers to maintain ink in their devices regardless of whether they intend to print," continues the complaint. "The result is an increase in ink sales from which Canon obtains significant profits." The lawsuit was filed in the District Court for the Eastern District of New York and seeks at least $5,000,000 in awards, exclusive of interest, fees, and litigation costs. The alleged violations alleged in the complaint are: * The New York General Business Law SS 349 * The New York General Business Law SS 350 * Breach of express warranties * Unjust enrichment * Failure to disclose material information If you have bought an all-in-one printer from Canon and faced similar problems, you could be eligible for receiving compensation in the future. However, it is important to note that this class action was filed this week and is not approved by the court yet, so it's too early in the process right now. BleepingComputer contacted Canon USA with questions regarding this lawsuit but did not receive a response. Related Articles: HP accused of Sabotaging Non-HP Ink Cartridges Microsoft confirms new Windows 11 printer installation issues Brother printers may not work in Windows 11 if connected via USB Microsoft's incomplete PrintNightmare patch fails to fix vulnerability Fired NY credit union employee nukes 21GB of data in revenge * Canon * Fax * Ink Cartridges * Lawsuits * Printer * Scanner * * * * * Bill Toulas Bill Toulas is a technology writer and infosec news reporter with over a decade of experience working on various online publications. An open source advocate and Linux enthusiast, is currently finding pleasure in following hacks, malware campaigns, and data breach incidents, as well as by exploring the intricate ways through which tech is swiftly transforming our lives. * Previous Article * Next Article Comments * kingmustard Photo kingmustard - 4 hours ago + + Go David! * KingJellyFish Photo KingJellyFish - 3 hours ago + + Go KingMustard for going Go David! Go David! * Chris Cosgrove Photo Chris Cosgrove - 1 hour ago + + Seems an entirely reasonable complaint, more power to his elbow ! * KP409 Photo KP409 - 1 hour ago + + I have owned this printer and own it now. This is a common complaint. I remember tweeting to canon some choice words because of this. I've owned multiple of these, because I can buy the printer new for $20, the ink cost over $50, and I am only scanning. I don't need ink. These printers will also eventually tell you that you are out of ink and shut down, EVEN when you never print. I'm in! (as an edit, I own the MG3620, not the MG6320 this story mentions. They both have this same feature/ fraud) Post a Comment Community Rules You need to login in order to post a comment [Login] Not a member yet? 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