A class action suit has been filed in the US that accuses computing giant HP of bribing stationary retailer Staples not to stock cheaper alternatives to its printer cartridges.

Plaintiff Ranjit Bedi claims that HP paid the stationary supplier $100 million in exchange for stocking only its cartridges and therefore keeping the price high.

It was, the suit claims, "an illegal agreement between competitors to stop competing” that breaks the US’ Sherman and Clayton Acts that protect competition.  

HP, which this year became the first technology company to earn over $100 billion in annual revenues, makes the majority of its profits from the sale of ink.

Some estimates put the price of printer ink at $8,000 per gallon, making it one of the most expensive liquids on the planet.

Further reading

Don't call it a come back Dell is showing the first signs of recover, but as Hewlett-Packard's stellar performance demonstrates, it has got a long way to go yet.

Hard copy Is it up to the IT department to inject some strategic thinking into the print job?

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