PARIS: French prosecutors have launched a probe into Japanese printer maker Epson for alleged planned obsolescence in its products, using landmark consumer legislation that campaigners hope to turn against Apple as well.

The investigation, confirmed by a legal source on Thursday, was opened last month and is being led by anti-trust and consumer protection specialists in the French economy ministry under the instruction of prosecutors.

It comes after a complaint by an association, Stop Plan­ned Obsolescence (HOP), which filed a case against printer makers Epson, HP, Brother and Canon in Sept­em­­ber alleging they were tricking consumers into replacing ink cartridges before they were empty.

The group filed a separate complaint on Wednes­day against Apple after the US tech giant admitted earlier this month that it intentionally slowed down older models of its iPhones over time.

Reacting to news of the Epson probe, the pro-recycling association called it “very good news”.

“For the first time in Fra­nce and to our knowledge in the world, judicial authorities of a country have taken up a case of planned obsolescence,” lawyer Emile Meunier said.

Published in Dawn, December 30th, 2017