The framing of all third-party cartridges as "counterfeits" regardless of whether or not they carry HP trademarks is deliciously dishonest. Buyers getting into difficult relationships with "large-scale criminal syndicates" over discount ink and toner also strains plausibility.

Whatever the reality, they've made it so consumers get burned by counterfeits (rendered completely nonfunctional) instead of HP, while conveniently eliminating legitimate competition.