Joe Nicholson wrote in a message to Roy J. Tellason:

 -=> Quoting Roy J. Tellason to All <=-

 RJT> I'd heard about some manufacturer putting a chip in printer
 RJT> refill cartridges,

 JN>  How does a person manufacture a refill cartridge?

 JN>  A digital chip?  Or a chip like in a piece of China?

Some bit of electronics.

 JN>  And what is that chip supposed to do?

Keeps you from refilling it.

 RJT> and then using copyright to keep aftermarket vendors from
 RJT> making them.

 JN> I don't think I'm dense.  Maybe it's just because I haven't 
 JN> finished the first cup of coffee this morning.  

That'll do it!  :-)

 JN>  But what is "them".   Cartridges?  Refill cartridges?

Yes.

 JN> Why couldn't an aftermarket "vendor" simply not incorporate a chip 
 JN> when making "them"?

They did.  And got sued for copyright infringement.  And lost.  Apparently
the printer makers want a lock on the refills market.  Which I think REALLY
STINKS!

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