R260 Compatible Ink Cartridges will not be available much longer in the United States? Yep, it's true.
A recent ruling by the International Trade Commission in favor of Epson has determined that many brands of compatible ink cartridges for Epson R260's along with other models, infringed upon Epson's patents for cartridge design.
This ruling has been in the works for a couple years now as Epson has tried very hard to crack down on the compatible ink cartridge industry.
This is to the dismay of many American consumers that have enjoyed their right to choose to save money by using compatible ink cartridges in their Epson printers.
How this will affect Epson's market share of home and office desktop printers remains to be seen.
Most consumers are unaware of this ruling and there has been little publicity regarding it.
Epson R260 Compatible ink cartridges are still available from a few online suppliers ...
However, 24 online merchants have been sued by Epson for both importing and selling compatible cartridges that Epson claims infringe on their design patents.
In my opinion...
I think that Epson is really hurting theirselves on this one.
I don't buy original name brand ink cartridges for ANY of my printers and I never will.
The day that the supply runs out is the day that my printer hits the trash can.
I just don't have time for someone telling me that I am forced to use their brand of ink.
That's like General Motors telling me that I can only buy BP Oil.
It just doesn't make sense to me at all.