We’ve seen copy protection for CDs and DVDs; we’ve seen ink-jet printer manufacturers add chips to their cartridges to make it difficult or impossible to refill them with cheaper ink.
If you have looked at online suppliers, you will have noticed that you can order replacement batteries for your digital camera much cheaper than the manufacturer’s originals. So it should be no surprise that Panasonic has issued firmware updates for several of their digital cameras, which prevent third party batteries from being used in their cameras:
For the protection of our customers Panasonic developed this technology after it was discovered that some aftermarket 3rd party batteries do not meet the rigid safety standards Panasonic uses.
Of course, they only have our best interests at heart and any effect on their profits is a completely secondary consideration…
