Home computer users will not need to pay out extra money for replacement print cartridges in future because of a change in the law.

North West Euro MP Chris Davies became involved after it emerged that some computer manufacturers had installed special microchips which prevent the equipment from working if a cheaper alternative has been used to replace or refill a print cartridge. Mr Davies said the microchips had been used to allow manufacturers to keep the prices of a print cartridge expensive and that some are much as four times the price of the original.

The Liberal Democrat member, a representative of the European Parliament's negotiating team, was among those MEPs to approve measures to clamp down on the practice as part of a new law. He said: "The last straw came when one company took out a patent for an ink cartridge that destroys itself by burning out the printer head rather than allowing it to be refilled with ink."

January 8, 2003 10:30