• Keurig Will Use DRM In New Coffee Maker To Lock Out Refill Market


    The single coffee cup craze has been rolling now for several years in both the United States and Canada, with Keurig, Tassimo, and Nespresso all battling it out to lock down the market. In order to protect their dominant market share, Keurig makers Green Mountain Coffee Roasters has been on a bit of an aggressive tear of late. As with computer printers, getting the device in the home is simply a gateway to where the real money is: refills. But Keurig has faced the "problem" in recent years of third-party pod refills that often retail for 5-25% less than what Keurig charges. As people look to cut costs, there has also been a growing market for reusable pods that generally run anywhere from five to fifteen dollars.

    Keurig's solution to this problem? In a lawsuit (pdf) filed against Keurig by TreeHouse Foods, they claim Keurig has been busy striking exclusionary agreements with suppliers and distributors to lock competing products out of the market. What's more, TreeHouse points out that Keurig is now developing a new version of their coffee maker that will incorporate the java-bean equivalent of DRM -- so that only Keurig's own coffee pods can be used in it:

    "Green Mountain has announced a new anticompetitive plan to maintain its monopoly by redesigning its brewers to lock out competitors’ products. Such lock-out technology cannot be justified based on any purported consumer benefit, and Green Mountain itself has admitted that the lock-out technology is not essential for the new brewers’ function. Like its exclusionary agreements, this lock-out technology is intended to serve anticompetitive and unlawful ends."
    The plan was confirmed by Keurig's CEO who stated on a recent earnings call that the new maker indeed won't work with "unlicensed" pods as part of an effort to deliver "game-changing performance." "Keurig 2.0" is expected to launch this fall. French Press and pour-over manufacturers like Chemex have plenty of time to get their thank you notes to Keurig in the mail ahead of time as users are hopefully nudged toward the realization they could be drinking much better coffee anyway.

    Source: http://www.techdirt.com/articles/201...l-market.shtml
    Comments 13 Comments
    1. megabyteme's Avatar
      megabyteme -
      Corporate fucking prick mentality. I don't even drink coffee, but hope this grinds their company to the ground. Double pun ftw!
    1. IdolEyes787's Avatar
      IdolEyes787 -
      You think by now,after all this time I'd have a clearer understanding of what DRM is.

      Whatever it is it sounds terrible bad so I'm assuming it's akin to what is happening in Crimea and Venezuela with people laying down their lives for freedom and important stuff like that and nothing to do with greed or stealing.
    1. TheFoX's Avatar
      TheFoX -
      I had a Tassimo that failed. Then I had a Krupps that failed. Now I drink instant coffee.

      Why pay hard money for a coffee machine that fails within an unreasonable time. If you want filter coffee, buy a standard coffee machine and buy either ground coffee, or beans and a grinder.

      There are too many people with too much money to throw away, and companies such as this one rely on the stupidity of people with too little grey matter and too much disposable income to purchase their incredibly expensive equipment and supplies.
    1. wtj's Avatar
      wtj -
      The biggest pain in coffee making is cleaning what you make it in.
      THAT I would happily support....not this k cup nonsense.
    1. sandman_1's Avatar
      sandman_1 -
      Get a French Press and be done with it. Gonna produce better coffee than the shit that comes out of a K.
    1. jpeterson's Avatar
      jpeterson -
      I second sandman_1 on the French Press method. If you appreciate coffee and like to enjoy all the nuances a quality coffee has, that's the way to do it. Even if you buy an $18USD 1lb bag of coffee, you're still miles ahead $$$$ wise. Mmm, coffee.
    1. wtj's Avatar
      wtj -
      Quote Originally Posted by sandman_1 View Post
      Get a French Press and be done with it. Gonna produce better coffee than the shit that comes out of a K.
      French press is an acquired taste, myself-- too burnt.
    1. sandman_1's Avatar
      sandman_1 -
      Quote Originally Posted by wtj View Post
      Quote Originally Posted by sandman_1 View Post
      Get a French Press and be done with it. Gonna produce better coffee than the shit that comes out of a K.
      French press is an acquired taste, myself-- too burnt.
      You are not doing it right (Water too hot and scolding beans) or probably not using good beans to begin with. Grocery store beans are most likely stale or old so you are wasting your money if that's where you are getting your coffee. Some stores do keep somewhat fresh beans in stock. In my area, Earthfare does a pretty good job at that. However if you can find the roasting source supplier and order directly from them, you can get your beans fresh after roasting. Using beans from 1 to 2 days post roast will yield a cup from Gods, the subtle flavors of the beans are strongest then. Always buy whole beans and grind right before use. Get a good flat burr grinder too and don't waste your money on a blade grinder.
    1. Beamer14's Avatar
      Beamer14 -
      Keurig to me is the best thing around!!!!!
    1. jimfitter's Avatar
      jimfitter -
      Quote Originally Posted by IdolEyes787 View Post
      You think by now,after all this time I'd have a clearer understanding of what DRM is.

      Whatever it is it sounds terrible bad so I'm assuming it's akin to what is happening in Crimea and Venezuela with people laying down their lives for freedom and important stuff like that and nothing to do with greed or stealing.
      This is an article about a coffee maker. If you want to discuss political science and wring your hands about the state of humanity, stay away from articles about coffee makers. Dipshit.
    1. IdolEyes787's Avatar
      IdolEyes787 -
      You probably could make me stop because you sound really tough for a girl.
    1. megabyteme's Avatar
      megabyteme -
      Quote Originally Posted by jimfitter View Post
      This is an article about a coffee maker. If you want to discuss political science and wring your hands about the state of humanity, stay away from articles about coffee makers. Dipshit.
      Forest and trees. And coffee calling the pot black, or something. Seriously, you think a site that focuses on filesharing issues would have interest in coffee maker technology?
    1. megabyteme's Avatar
      megabyteme -
      BTW, while your premises are all wrong, your conclusion is still valid.