Patent ID: 7221878

Claim:
A method comprising: programming a first code into a memory of an image-formation device consumable item, outside of an image-formation device; upon insertion of the image-formation device consumable item into the image-formation device, detecting that the memory of the consumable item has programmed therein the first code; determining by the image-formation device whether the first code is identical to a second code programmed into a memory of the image-formation device; and, where the first code is identical to the second code, allowing the consumable item to be used by the image-formation device to form images on media, wherein one or more of: the method further comprising, in response to detecting that the memory of the consumable item does not have programmed therein the first code, allowing the consumable item to be used by the image-formation device to form images on media; and/or, each of the second code and the first code is associated with a particular party.