The legal 'bite' that has been attempted to be used to make these tactics work in the US (with varying success) is the DMCA. [2] [3] [4]. The argument goes, if you try to break the mechanism that locks down the print cartridge, that counts as circumventing a copy protection device. [5]
It's more a problem of the free market. When companies grow larger and larger, the stuff they produce tends to become more and more locked down. So a freedom naturally leads to a loss of freedom elsewhere.
But they're abusing copyright law to restrict your freedom to use your own cartridges. We're technically able to do that, but HP will take all your money if you do.
It should be, but so far this hasn't been successful in court. I'm not sure if it has been tried.
Best to write your congressman first. When the laws are clearly success in court is more likely. Right now HP is twisting some legal arguments in a way that holds up to the letter of the law.
