Screwy Epson firmware updates

[Ink stained Fingers]

Epson gets all the attention this time

https://www.eff.org/deeplinks/2018/10/eff-texas-ag-epson-tricked-its-customers-dangerous-fake-update
https://boingboing.net/2018/10/10/printers-vs-humanity.html

 

[stratman]

Don't mess with Texas! (unofficial motto of Texas)

 

[Ink stained Fingers]

I got a T-shirt there longer time ago......

 

[stratman]

While you were there I hope you got a chance to sample the BBQ or other grilled meats that Texas has to offer, some that go well with mustard.

 

[Ink stained Fingers]

I hope you got a chance to sample the BBQ or other grilled meats that Texas has to offer

oh well - yes - the larger sizes specifically were just delicious....

(Prices are from last millenium...)

 

[stratman]

This looks a little bit of a shack, just the kind of place to get some great food. And those prices! Four dollars for lunch and dessert. I'd eat there all week.

Did they also have the quintessentially American "free refills" on drinks, too?

 

[Ink stained Fingers]

Did they also have the quintessentially American "free refills" on drinks, too?

probably - but I don't remember anymore - I was busy with the beef...

 

[stratman]

Good man!

 

[The Hat]

probably - but I don't remember anymore - I was busy with the beef...

Who needs to go all the way to Texas for a good steak, we only stock tender soft green beef, but you’re going to need deep pockets to enjoy..

 

[mikling]

If this post refers to the Epson P800, one should note a key distinction here and it will apply most likely to other models down the road as well.
First, you will have noticed the NAG screens when an aftermarket cart is used. How do they know a non Epson is being used....there is a digital signature somewhere. Aftermarket makers have no rights to copying digital signature....that is the law.

Second, on the P800, Epson has gone to the trouble of making every single chip they make for that printer unique with its own key. Within the printer, is a microprocessor and an algorithm that can decode the key and determine whether or not it is acceptable and whether or not it is one of Epson's genuine keys.

The ink level memory on the chip is continually copied to the printer non volatile memory.

So now the printer is able to tell everything 1. Whether it is a genuine Epson key. 2. Whether or not the ink level reading on the chip is lower or higher than what was associated with that key before. It will also store ALL of the keys and ink levels it has seen or used on the printer itself.

Understand that A. If the printer discovers a genuine ID and it checks the ink level and sees the ink level it has stored in memory is higher than what is being presented to it on the chip, it will reject the chip because the chip has been tampered with.....the one with Epson security. You are not supposed to mess with the secuity IDs of digital things. Period.

So as it pertains to the updating of firmware to reject aftermarket chips/decoders. It is perfectly legal IF the keys contained within the decoders are copied /stolen genuine Epson security keys and not generated independent of inspecting Epson chips.

Think about it.