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Does the color ink in your Kodak inkjet printer always seem to run out, even though you rarely print in color? If so, you’re not alone. A class action lawsuit filed in California Superior Court claims that Eastman Kodak failed to tell consumers that its All-In-One inkjet printers deplete color ink reserves at “absurd levels,” even on pages that contain only black text.
According to the Kodak All-In-One inkjet printer class action lawsuit, “When printing black and white text and images, Kodak’s color inkjet printers are designed and programmed to use substantial amounts of color ink in addition to the substantially less expensive black ink. Kodak specifically designed the color inkjet printers so customers could not print black and white documents, unless there was an operating color inkjet cartridge in the printer.”
The Kodak printer class action lawsuit goes on to say that even though Kodak inkjet printers use substantial amounts of color ink when printing in black text and images, no color other than plain black can be seen on the printed page. “The documents are for all purposes substantially the same as if printed from a black and white only printer. As a result, consumers are unaware that color ink is actually being used and hidden within the black text and/or images that they have printed.”
This fact is further concealed, the class action lawsuit says, because nowhere in Kodak’s promotional, packaging or warranty materials does it disclose to consumer that its color inkjet printers use color ink when printing black text or images.
The Kodak color inkjet printer class action lawsuit is brought on behalf of all persons or entities located in the U.S. who own a Kodak color inkjet printer and who have printed black text and/or images using that printer. It is seeking class certification, restitution for Class Members, and injunctive relief prohibiting Kodak from further engaging in the deceptive business practices alleged in the lawsuit.
A copy of the Kodak All-In-One Color Inkjet Printer Class Action Lawsuit can be read here.
The case is Daniela Apostol v. Eastman Kodak Company, Case No. 30-2011-00510342-CU-FR-CXC, Superior Court of California, County of Orange.
UPDATE: A federal judge dismissed this class action lawsuit without prejudice on Feb. 3, 2014. The supporting court documents did not indicate if the plaintiff would re-file an amended complaint.
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97 thoughts onKodak All-In-One Color Inkjet Printer Class Action Lawsuit
I want signed up, how? What is the status of this lawsuit? I am boycotting all Kodak products for life.
If anybody know how I can join the lawsuit, please let me know. Thanks !
Nice how a giant corporation can rob hundreds of thousands of people, then file bankruptcy to get out of its obligation to the people they screwed. Kodak, you and your people suck !
So . . . what is the status of this class action as of March 12, 2014 ?
The lawsuit says the plaintiff bought a new black cartridge and a new color cartridge at the same time, installed them, and printed exclusively black and white documents. When she attempted to print a single colored page, the color cartridge ran out because it had already been depleted from printing the black and white copies.
Nice.
Fact is, a Kodak printer requires two cartridges to print ANY document. Black won’t function with an “empty” colored one and a colored one won’t function with an “empty” black one. Try to replace just one and you’ll be heading back to the store for the other after seeing that one’s “empty” prompt too. I like to cut open the still-full cartridges and drizzle them out the window in neat designs on the way. That way it doesn’t go to waste.
Bottom line is, a Kodak black cartridge doesn’t cost $10 and a color one doesn’t cost $20. They’re in truth one cartridge being marketed as two “lowest priced” ones. When a replacement is done, the cost will be $30 regardless. Buying either the black or the color by itself is the same as buying both on layaway. They shouldn’t even be sold separately because by doing so Kodak is claiming their printers allow the user to print only in black and white if they choose. It’s not possible. The software makes a point of prohibiting it, as well as the gray scale option.
Kodak bundles a scanner with their printers and sells them at cost to get their foot in your door, then banks on the fact that most people will just keep forking over the $30 rather than deal with the hassle of a return. Their entire business is built around ensuring every printer keeps bringing them a handsome return. For major printer users, “handome” converts to about $30 a month. That’s the drop. Yesterday they were giving away cameras to cash in on film rolls. Today it’s printers. Tomorrow it’ll be whatever people are just lazy enough to allow.
Gonna look into the lawsuit and see if I can still get in on tar and feathering these crooks. Stuck with the 3250 and can’t use it in any capacity unless both cartridges report full. Wondered why I was always buying new cartridges. Don’t print very often and always forget when I replaced them. Turns out I’ve been contributing to Kodak’s retirement fund. Nice little racket they’ve got going. Black and color cartridge pack sells for $32.97 at Walmart right now. That gets you about 20 black/white printouts and 5 colored. And I’m not even exaggerating.
Same problem as everyone else. Very deceptive of Kodak. All they need do is to develop an updated software free download that fixes this problem.
I bought the Kodak AIO printer because the ink was suppose to be cheaper to use. I’m on a fixed income, I can’t afford to be buying ink all the time. I only print in black and white, but the color ink still runs out. I’m left with a half cartridge of black ink & the printer will not print because my color cartridge is out of ink! I want in this law suit! Where can I find I printer that uses only black ink?
I thought Kodak was on to something good. On the advice from a Best Buy Geek, I purchased 3 of these ESP units. The whole process has been a nightmare. After 2 years, 2 of the 3 units no longer print. If you call Kodak you will be talking with someone who barely speaks English. Although touted to print over 400 pages, these printers never made it past 50 pages. I have placed them in their original boxes and placed them in the attic just in case something comes of the class action suit (have my doubts). It is sad to see what was once a great American company go down this road. In short, the printers double, if not triple your ink costs. Stay away from them even at yard sales.
My HP printer was having some issues with paper transport so I my wife saw a Kodak printer on sale in a local store. She was already upset that the Hp was giving us problems. I don’t print a lot and already changed the black cartridge. I recently went to print a paper and ti showed the color ink cartridge needed to be changed. I tried to over ride it and use only black but nothing worked. A week later my wife tried to use it and i had to tell her it would not print until we bought a new color cartridge.
She wasn’t happy and immediately wanted to take the printer and toss it. I found this site when i searched for a way to run the printer without the color cartridge. SURPRISE! I’ll have to buy an XL cartridge from an alternate supplier at discount price,should last longer,eventually buy a new printer and give this one to someone I don’t like. I’m disappointed that Kodak used the same poor tactics as others have done.