HP fined 1.4 billion rupees for “cartelization” of ink cartridges, toner, PCs
Resellers threatened to ditch HP printing supplies for counterfeits.
The Indian government has fined HP India and its partners a total of 1.4 billion rupees (about $14.4 million) for working with reseller partners in the “cartelization” of computers, ink cartridges, and toner.
The Competition Commission of India (CCI) said this week that it found HP India had colluded with some channel partners to drive up the cost of bids for government contracts for computers, as well as for selling ink cartridges, toner, and other printing supplies, including graphic and digital manufacturing supplies.
It said that HP was aiming to outcompete other OEMs and discourage resellers from selling “counterfeit” ink and toner.