Inkjet printer with DRM-free ink will be launched via a crowdfunding campaign

Original Article ↗ Hacker News Discussion ↗

An open-source-style inkjet printer called Open Printer is being launched via crowdfunding, promising DRM‑free ink, roll‑fed paper up to 11" wide, and easy repair and modification. Commenters welcome an alternative to locked‑down consumer printers but criticize the choice of a noncommercial Creative Commons license, which prevents true open hardware reuse and third‑party manufacturing. Others question the practicality of the design — citing the lack of a standard paper tray, duplexing, and real‑world demos — and note that robust, low‑maintenance laser printers and existing bulk‑ink models already solve many everyday printing needs.

Motivation and appeal

  • Many welcome a printer aimed at ending DRM, hidden tracking features, and “hostile” behavior of mainstream brands.
  • Small form factor, wall-mountability, and support for wide/roll paper (up to ~11") are seen as compelling, especially for makers, artists, and banner‑style prints.
  • Some view it as decades overdue; others say inkjets are already past their peak and this arrives “20 years too late.”

Patents, DRM, and tracking dots

  • Discussion notes that most critical printer patents are likely expired, though manufacturers still cross‑license heavily.
  • People hope this avoids tracking dots; several claim those are mainly a color‑laser issue, not inkjet, but details remain unclear.
  • Some want open firmware for existing printers purely to remove tracking dots and artificial limitations.

“Open source” and licensing controversy

  • Strong pushback that CC BY‑NC‑SA is not Open Source per OSI/FSF/CC definitions; several call the “open source” branding misleading.
  • Critics argue NC blocks third‑party manufacturing, upgrades, and commercial repair services, keeping users dependent on the original vendor and preventing ecosystem growth.
  • Others defend NC as a pragmatic way to publish designs, enable repair/modding, and still let creators sell hardware without being immediately cloned.
  • There’s debate about whether hiring someone to print parts or do repairs counts as “commercial use”; outcome is seen as jurisdiction‑dependent and legally murky.

Hardware design & usability concerns

  • Use of HP 63 cartridges is seen as practical, leveraging a well‑understood, widely available head, though not truly “open hardware.”
  • Roll‑only feed and lack of proper tray/duplexing are major dealbreakers for many: difficult label/envelope printing, curled pages, messy multi‑page jobs, no automatic duplex.
  • Some see this as an acceptable v1 tradeoff for an open design; others insist a serious everyday printer needs sheet trays and duplex.

Comparisons to existing printers and economics

  • Many argue cheap monochrome lasers (especially older HP, Brother, Kyocera) remain vastly more reliable and cheaper per page, with no drying issues.
  • Others point to current “bulk ink” / tank printers from major brands as already providing low‑cost, DRM‑light color printing.
  • Several note that bulk ink itself is extremely cheap; the core problem is firmware‑enforced DRM and chipped cartridges.

Feasibility and vaporware worries

  • Skeptics highlight absence of demo videos, print‑speed specs, or shipped units; some fear vaporware or legal trouble over patents.
  • A few still hope even a partially open, imperfect device could pressure incumbents or seed a more open printer ecosystem.