OpenPrinter

Technical feasibility of an “open” inkjet printer

• Debate over difficulty: some argue inkjet requires extreme materials science and printhead expertise; others counter that by reusing HP cartridges (with integrated printheads) the project mostly needs to build a plotter and paper feed.
• Printhead is widely seen as the hardest problem; using HP’s off‑the‑shelf heads shifts complexity and risk to patents, supply, and DRM rather than core engineering.
• Some question why, given this reliance on HP, there was a long gap between announcement and working demos, suggesting the design is still in active R&D.

Patents, DRM, and legal constraints

• Concerns that HP could react with tighter DRM, discontinue the chosen cartridge line, or legally pressure the project.
• Others note patent‑exhaustion and prior legal precedents on cartridge refilling and compatibility tools, but still expect a “sea of patents” around mechanics and interfaces that must be audited.
• The design’s dependence on specific HP cartridge families is seen as both pragmatic and fragile.

“Open” vs non‑commercial licensing

• Project uses CC BY‑NC‑SA, which many commenters say is not “open source” in the standard sense, because commercial use and resale of derivatives (e.g., third‑party printers or parts) are restricted.
• Worry that if the original entity fails, no one can legally sell compatible hardware based on the design, undermining long‑term sustainability.
• Others are fine with NC as a defensive move against commercial clones, especially from large manufacturers.

Reliability, use cases, and alternatives

• Many report chronic clogging and maintenance issues with inkjets, especially with infrequent use; some say head‑in‑cartridge designs still clog after a few refills.
• Strong contingent prefers monochrome (or color) laser printers for low‑maintenance, long‑idle scenarios and lower cost per page; inkjet still favored for photo printing and some color work.
• Paper roll vs sheet feed: roll simplifies feeding but raises questions about paper curl, duplex printing, and cutter wear.

Surveillance and tracking dots

• Interest in OpenPrinter as a way to avoid tracking dots and cloud‑tethered/“surveillant” printers.
• Commenters note yellow dots appear to be a de facto industry practice, not a legal requirement; expectation is that an open design simply omits them.

Project maturity and crowdfunding skepticism

• Some enthusiasm for the concept and industrial design, but also doubts about timelines, missing details (exact BOM, costs, finalized controllers), and the lack of fully open source release until “when ready.”
• Crowd Supply’s requirement of a working prototype gives some confidence, but a few prior failures are noted.