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Comment by cududa | Hacker News Reader

If "DRM'ing" cups was anti-competitive why haven't there been any third-party making cheap keurig-like machines for use with the cups on which the patent expired?

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There are some K-cup compatible machines available (like http://www.amazon.com/MCU-Single-Multi-Use-Coffee-Brewer/dp/... ). I think the reason you don't hear about them much is Keurig really dominates the market.

Here in Australia, there is, at least we have one at home. No idea what brand it is, but the cups are different to a regular keurig, and far easier to find (and cheap!)

There's tons. My wife found one for about $20 that also has a fancy basket thing, so we don't even need the "reusable coffee pod" junk for normal coffee

Because there's no money in the machine. The profit comes entitely from the coffee pods.

Then the price for "standard" or "compatible" machines need to increase. A company who offered this could potentially make some good money...

Only if they are able to convince people that paying more up front is worth while for cheaper cups. That's always been a tough sell, even if it's correct.

It seems like American consumers especially, have a hard time with the "higher upfront for cheaper in the long run" way of thinking.

Look at all these cell phone companies that lock consumers into a two year contract with a much higher monthly premium than an alternative prepaid service. $200 phone + $100/month is somehow much more palatable than $800 phone + $50/month.

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