Canon removes DRM from imageRunner ink cartridges.

Canon Europe has issued this statement;

As a valuable customer we appreciate your continued use of Canon products.

Due to the ongoing global shortage of semiconductor components, Canon is currently experiencing challenges in procuring specific electronic components that are used in our consumable products for our multifunction printers (MFP). These components perform such functions as detecting remaining toner levels.

To ensure you enjoy a continuous and reliable supply of consumables, we have chosen to supply consumable products without the semiconductor component until normal supply resumes.

While there is no negative impact on print quality when using consumables without electronic components, certain ancillary functions, such as the ability to detect toner levels, may be affected.

The following imageRunner printers are affected;

• imageRUNNER 1435i/1435iF
• imageRUNNER 2625i/2630i/2645i
• imageRUNNER ADVANCE 4525i/4535i/4545i/4551i, II and III
• imageRUNNER ADVANCE C250i/350i/C351iF
• imageRUNNER ADVANCE C255i/C355i/C355iF/C256i/356i
• imageRUNNER ADVANCE C256i/356i II and III
• imageRUNNER ADVANCE C3320i/3325i/3330i
• imageRUNNER ADVANCE C3520i/3525i/3530i, II and III
• imageRUNNER ADVANCE C5535i/5540i/5550i/5560i, II and III
• imageRUNNER ADVANCE DX 4725i/4735i/4745i/4751i
• imageRUNNER ADVANCE DX 6000i
• imageRUNNER ADVANCE DX C257i/C357i
• imageRUNNER ADVANCE DX C3720i/3725i/3730i
• imageRUNNER ADVANCE DX C3822i/3826i/3830i/3835i
• imageRUNNER ADVANCE DX C5735i/5740i/5750i/5760i
• imageRUNNER C1325iF/1335iF
• imageRUNNER C3025i
• imageRUNNER C3125i
• imageRUNNER C3226i

Ink cartridges are near and dear to Canon's heart - so the chip shortage has to be quite severe if it's even affecting Canon's ink cartridges.  It's unknown if this will happen across all of Canon's printers or just the imageRunner series.