Via BoingBoing, here’s an article from the Wall Street Journal about region coding. This is the practice of restricting usage of technology to particular section of the globe. The classic example is DVD players, which are set by default to only play DVDs from, say, Eastern Europe, Russia, India and Africa. HP has extended that dubious practice to the already-fraught world of inkjet cartridges:
The company introduced region-coding on several printers in the summer so it won’t have to keep altering prices to keep pace with currency movements, says Kim Holm, vice president for H-P’s supplies business in Europe, the Middle East and Africa. H-P eventually plans to introduce the concept across its entire line of inkjet printers, he adds.
That reasoning sounds questionable to me. DVD region coding exists apparently to try to thwart piracy (China is in a region by itself). The actual effect is that consumers in Europe can’t necessarily enjoy cheaper DVDs from North America. The same result applies to the inkjet cartridges.
Of course, there’s usually a straightforward firmware hack to convert your DVD player to ‘multi-region’, meaning your can watch DVDs from Nepal or Morocco if you want.
UPDATE: BoingBoing features a follow-up from an HP employee: “One thing is for sure, the average customer will not understand, or care to understand, the issue of currency fluctuations! The HP bean counters should be smacked for that short sightedness and the bad press it will bring.”
DarrenBarefoot.com 
Explain yourself Darren. Where would one find such a hack?
Ah, well, that depends on the model of your DVD player. Generally, I’d recommend searching for the brand, model number + ‘multi-region hack’ (or ‘multi-region crack’). This is a pretty exhaustive database as well. Hack your firmware at your own risk (though I’ve never heard of anyone having a problem).
There’s a Philips DVD player out there that’ll play anything…DivX, NTSC,Pal, anything. It’s under 90 bucks at Futile Shop and runs like a champ. Don’t even think you need a hack either.
Recently I was searching for a region hack for my DVD Player (a Toshiba SD3800). I found one on this handy site. Just ignore the terrible ads and more terrible site usability;)
Search Gal
Does any 1 know where to find or get the regional hack for the DVD player Toshiba 2810 model? I’m seeing hacks for all other models but the 1 I’m looking for.
Cheers
I recently bought a Palsonic 2050DX and cannot find a region hack for it anywhere. I was just wondering if anyone can help me.
hello i am after a crack model number for a TOSHIBA RD-XS32SB THANKS
Adam;
Find your code here: http://www.videohelp.com/dvdhacks?select=Palsonic+DVD-2050DX
I have an HP PSC 1355 printer, scanner & copier. I want to change its region code from Europe to India so that I can use the cartridges from here. Any suggestions?