[btilly]

Why is this issue important to HP now? Looking at HP's latest SEC filing in http://www.faqs.org/sec-filings/100311/HEWLETT-PACKARD-CO_10... I find two interesting lawsuits, Baggett v. HP and Rich v. HP, which may explain why HP would want to change public opinion.

In Baggett v. HP it is alleged that HP prematurely claims its cartridges are empty, thus forcing people to buy ink prematurely. The lower district ruled against the plaintiff on the class action status, but that is under appeal. It is worth noting that Epson settled a similar lawsuit not that long ago (see http://www.inkjetcartridges.com/_epson-offers-credit-for-ina... for details), and another similar one has been filed against Dell.

More likely to be relevant is Rich v. HP, which alleged that HP unnecessarily uses color ink in black and white printing. The hearing for that was scheduled for May 7. I can't find any press about how that hearing went, but the judge is likely thinking the case over now.

HP advertising now could be a question of trying to influence the judge in that case, and/or it could be an attempt to preempt some anticipated bad publicity.