[rurcliped]

Possibly because the firmware could be modified, and not print the required yellow dots or other tracking data:

https://www.eff.org/pages/list-printers-which-do-or-do-not-d...

"Some of the documents that we previously received through FOIA suggested that all major manufacturers of color laser printers entered a secret agreement with governments to ensure that the output of those printers is forensically traceable."

[ed25519FUUU]

Nothing in that article suggest that open source firmware needs to print the yellow tracking dots, or that that feature can’t be disabled by users.

[junon]

I think that's the reason it doesn't exist.

[nerdbert]

Out of curiosity, why couldn't I make a printer driver that always sent the printer data with some extra yellow dots scattered around, in an arrangement that would make the tracking codes illegible?

[LanternLight83]

Perhaps the yellow dot is placed slightly off from the axies of the standard grid, making it unforgeable through input data-- I'm not sure that's what they've done, but surely they have to have considered input sanitization to some degree

[junon]

That's exactly how countermeasure software works. I believe it was both the EFF and CCC that developed counteractive software for this after initially discovering it (correct me if I'm wrong).

[the_third_wave]

The firmware would make sure the significant yellow dot patterns would be recognisable by not printing some of those yellow dots you tell it to print. As long as the firmware has the final say on what ends up printed there is no way you can avoid those watermarks no matter how cunning your scheme is. Stalin was right when he said "It's not who votes that counts, it's who counts the votes" - this is just as applicable here: "It's not who orders the print what counts, it's who prints the order".

[IshKebab]

I think it would be tricky to ensure that your dots were in valid places that the tracking dots could be.

If you want to print a bomb threat or whatever it would be easier to use a black and white printer, or just fill the whole page with yellow.

[phendrenad2]

So what happens to people who try to make open-source firmware? They get a secret cease and desist slash gag order?

[xg15]

Some men in suits and black sunglasses showing up at their door...

[copperx]

My B/W laser printer doesn't have a yellow toner cartridge. How are the yellow dots printed?

[acherion]

The article clearly states that the yellow dots are printed by _colour_ laser printers.

[sleepybrett]

they are worried about currency forgery.

[walterbell]

> output of those printers is forensically traceable

Are similar techniques used in 3D printers?

[mbreese]

Given that there is open source firmware for 3D printers, I’d say no. Also, the “resolution” of 3D printers is not high enough to allow for a tell tale “mark” that was otherwise undetectable.

[IshKebab]

No. How would that work?